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.
Wow, Russia pulling out the big guns here, going after Big Slide.
Critics note similar European imports face lower duties.
Why the fuck are we still exporting to Russia?
No, if Russia can’t buy what they need, they have to make it themselves, that requires investments, and with steep interest rates, and worker shortage, they are not in a position to increase their productivity.
There is zero doubt IMO that we should boycott Russia completely, anything less is helping Russia fight the war against Ukraine.
Price of da brick going up
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.
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?
They’ve been delivering bucket loads of cash for oil and there was a recent deal for $4 billion USD for radar kit.
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.
