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.
Protectionism only really makes sense if you’re a country without native industrial capacities and trying to industrialise. Even that is debatable.
Russia used to be a major world power with highly developed heavy industry and okay-ish light industry. A lot of that has been poorly maintained since the fall of the USSR but the factories are still there. Protectionism makes little sense here.
those factories wre almost all in ukraine.