Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan views the introduction of new global import tariffs by the United States as an opportunity to expand the country's export capabilities. This was stated by Uzbekistan's Special Representative for WTO Affairs, Azizbek Urunov, on his LinkedIn page.

He noted that the actions taken by Washington are creating new niches in the global market, which the country should seize.

On April 2, Donald Trump signed an order imposing new tariffs on imports from 185 countries, including Uzbekistan. Urunov emphasized that despite this, the share of the U.S. in Uzbekistan’s exports remains less than 1%.

He gave the example of copper exports, one of Uzbekistan’s key products, which are primarily shipped to China, Turkey, and the Eurasian region. With increased production, additional volumes could be directed to the UAE, which annually needs 300,000 tons of copper.

He also emphasized that Uzbekistan's strategic goal is not only to export raw materials but also to develop processing and create added value within the country. In this context, a 10% export tariff on copper was introduced in March.

Urunov further noted that the current instability in the global market could have a positive impact on Uzbekistan. The new U.S. tariffs on textiles and clothing are significantly higher for major market players such as China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India compared to similar products from Uzbekistan. This creates additional opportunities for attracting investments and growing exports in this sector.

"Global trade continues to function, and the vast majority of countries adhere to WTO norms. The U.S. is attempting to influence the course of reforms, but this does not signify the collapse of the system. Every problem creates new opportunities — it is important to know how to take advantage of them," Urunov concluded.