1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The existing sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States are insufficient measures to address the ongoing trade imbalance and Russia's actions. A baseline tariff should be implemented on Russian imports in addition to the current sanctions regime. While sanctions restrict certain economic activities, tariffs would serve as a tool to level the playing field and discourage the continuation of the $2 billion annual U.S. trade deficit with Russia. In contrast, the trade deficit with Ukraine is negligible, yet they are still subject to a 10% tariff under the new policy. This discrepancy undermines efforts to achieve fair and reciprocal trade relationships. Implementing tariffs on Russian goods would align with the stated objectives of restoring economic sovereignty and security while holding Russia accountable through economic measures beyond the current sanctions framework. A fair and consistent application of tariffs is warranted given Russia's military aggression and the significant trade imbalance that persists despite sanctions.