The situation is becoming complicated due to new measures from the Trump administration, which is increasing economic pressure on countries working with Iran. The U.S. President announced the introduction of 25% tariffs for all states engaging in trade with the Islamic Republic. This provision also applies to Kyrgyzstan, which may now face additional taxes on its export operations with the United States.
It should be noted that this decision is a continuation of previously imposed tariffs. Recall that starting from August 1, 2025, Washington established special tariffs for Central Asia: for Kazakhstan, they are 25%, while for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, they are 10%.
For Kyrgyzstan, which was counting on a "logistical breakthrough" through Iranian ports, this poses a significant challenge. Plans to use Iranian ports as key points for accessing international markets are now threatened by potential high tariffs when trading with the U.S.
Data from this year highlights the importance of economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and Iran: in the first ten months of 2025, the republic imported goods from Iran, including fish, paint, and mining equipment, worth $35 million, while exports to Iran amounted to $30 million, mainly in the form of beans and cotton. In light of the new ultimatum from Washington, Kyrgyzstan needs to carefully weigh its strategic logistical plans and maintain opportunities for exports to the U.S.
