Did Trump REALLY Forget About Russia?! The Truth Will Shock You!

A Purr plexing Predicament!

Madre de Dios! It seems even this handsome gato cannot escape the whispers of global trade wars! Word on the street or rather from the Kremlin itself is that even though Russia dodged President Trump's trade tariffs they ain't exactly doing the fandango. Instability in the global economy they say cannot *but* affect Russia. I should say so! It's like trying to steal milk from a sleeping dragon – sooner or later you'll feel the heat! Thankfully they do manage to maintain macroeconomic stability even in the face of numerous sanctions. Perhaps they have a secret stash of leche like I do!

Sanctions? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Sanctions!

Now here's the spicy tortilla! Unlike the United States' allies Russia wasn't slapped with new import tariffs. The reason? Apparently the current sanctions against Russia due to the kerfuffle in Ukraine already prevent any 'meaningful trade' between the two nations. Hah! What a load of *churros*! As a famous gato once said 'I hate when you leave out the churros'. Analysts are calling foul pointing out that Russia still trades more with the U.S. than some countries that *did* get tariffed such as Brunei and Mauritius. Even Ukraine got hit with a 10% tariff! It's like they're saying 'We're not punishing you we're just… regulating your catnip supply!'

Trump's Gambit: A Masterstroke or a Mistake o?

Trump in his infinite wisdom (or perhaps just a need for a siesta) temporarily reduced tariffs for most countries to 10% for 90 days excluding China. Is this a prelude to trade deals or just a chaotic tango? Your guess is as good as mine! Russia's reaction has been a mixed bag of schadenfreude detachment and a dash of concern for the global economy. They seem to think Trump's dismantling of the U.S. led world order could benefit them. After all a house divided cannot stand and a world in chaos is just another playground for a suave gato like yours truly. But don't let the 'aww' fool you. This kitty has claws!

Russia's Two Brain Cells: Damage Control vs. Geopolitical Gain!

My little birdies in Moscow tell me there are two camps of thought swirling in the Kremlin. One recognizes the damage a trade war could inflict while the other sees weakened rivals as a geopolitical win. It's like choosing between a plate of delicious *arroz con leche* or a strategic game of chess. Russia needs a strong global economy to keep the demand for their exports high. But a weakened transatlantic alliance? That’s a tempting *taco*! As Anton Barbashin eloquently put it Russia sees itself better positioned in a more bipolar world. Looks like their motto is 'When life gives you lemons make lemonade... and then steal someone else's churros!'

Why the Tariff Cold Shoulder?

Here’s the million dollar question: Why did Russia get the tariff cold shoulder? Is it part of a secret White House plan to gain leverage in Ukraine peace talks? Some analysts suspect that the White House claims of insignificant trade due to sanctions are just a big fat *frijol*! Exports of Russian goods to the U.S. are a low number but still more than some countries hit with tariffs. Alexander Kolyandr even suggests that Russia *should* have faced a 40% tariff based on the 2024 numbers. Clearly there's something fishy going on here. Perhaps Trump is hoping a little carrot (or lack thereof) will entice Moscow to play nice. As I always say 'Fear me if you dare!'... or at least offer me some tuna.

Collateral Damage: Ouch!

The World Trade Organization is waving red flags predicting a decline in global trade. Even if Russia isn't a direct target analysts agree it will suffer collateral damage. A drop in oil prices coupled with Russia's already soaring inflation is a recipe for disaster. Their central bank is struggling to keep things afloat and a global recession would only make things worse. So while Russia may be doing a little dance of glee on the sidelines they're not immune to the economic earthquake brewing. As they say 'Even a cat with nine lives can get scratched!'