Summary
Russia has imposed a 55.65% tariff on Chinese furniture sliding rail parts, previously exempt from duties, angering both Russian manufacturers and Chinese commentators.
Industry leaders warn the tariff could bankrupt importers, raise domestic furniture prices by 15%, and harm Russia’s furniture industry, which relies heavily on Chinese imports.
Critics note similar European imports face lower duties.
The move has sparked feelings of betrayal in China, despite booming bilateral trade reaching $240 billion in 2023.
The tariff comes amid U.S. sanctions and China’s critical role in supporting Russia’s economy during the Ukraine war.
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The tariff comes amid U.S. sanctions and China’s critical role in supporting Russia’s economy during the Ukraine war.
If Russia loses China over this, who else will they have? North Korea?
Not even… N Korea has been a puppet of China for a while. China will cut Russia off from them too.
North Korea uses Russia and China to balance each other out so to prevent becoming entirely the puppet of either.
Lol, k.
I do believe this is true to some degree.
NK may be more fundamentally more aligned with China, but I do think NK at least tries to play them against each.
This is honestly a tiny tariff that has no real impact on trade between russia and China.
I agree with your logic and analysis.
However the non-tangibles here are pretty staggering - Russia is hugely dependent on China and India for exports (basically oil and gas) to raise cash and foreign currency. It also needs high tech goods from China - China provides drones, cars, bikes, clothes and more to support the invasion. And critically a lot of electronics, including those under sanctions being smuggled from the West.
Placing tariffs on China sends a strong negative message to China - it’s a real slap in the face that will invite a pretty nasty punch back again.
What on earth motivated this?
This does seem very strange. I don’t understand why they would even bother with such a specific, minor tariff.
Perhaps some senior goon (i.e. pretty close to putin, not just a regular oligarch or a regional fief) has money in the furniture business? Still I would imagine it would be easier to implement some sort of local subsidy or corruption scheme as opposed to a tariff against China. It just doesn’t seem worth it.
