Kazakhstan’s leader tells Trump that he hopes for compromise on new U.S. tariffs

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ALMATY (Reuters) -Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter that he was ready for constructive dialogue on trade issues after Trump slapped fresh 25% reciprocal tariffs on the Central Asian country.

Trump launched a new global trade war this week, imposing higher tariff rates on a slew of countries as he continues his “America First” policies.

Beginning August 1, goods exported from Kazakhstan to the United States will face a 25% reciprocal tariff. Most of the oil-rich country’s exports will continue to be supplied without the new duties. Its key exports – oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum and titanium – are exempted from tariffs, according to the Kazakh trade ministry.

Tokayev said in a letter to Trump that the country was ready to continue dialogue with the White House to reach a rational solution to trade issues.

“Tokayev expressed confidence in reaching a compromise on the trade issue,” the presidential press service said in a statement.

The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the U.S. in 2024 amounted to $4.2 billion, which is 4% higher than in 2023.

Kazakhstan’s main export commodity to the U.S. is crude oil, which accounts for 56.2% of total supplies, uranium – 16.4%, silver – 12.2%, ferroalloys – 9.5%, tantalum and products made from it – 0.89%.

(Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)