美国出乎意料对哈萨克斯坦下手，“还是与中国有关”

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government's imposition of tariffs on Kazakhstan has raised concerns about the country's economic relations, particularly with China and Russia, as it seeks to balance its strategic partnerships while facing pressure from the U.S. [1][5][7] Group 1: Tariff Announcement and Impact - President Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Kazakhstan, effective August 1, as part of a broader trade strategy targeting nearly 20 countries [1][7] - The tariffs are expected to affect less than $100 million worth of Kazakh products, which constitutes about 5% of its exports, while over 90% of its exports to the U.S. will remain tariff-free [7] - Kazakhstan's trade department has submitted proposals to improve bilateral trade relations and is awaiting a response from the U.S. [7][8] Group 2: Economic Relations with China - Kazakhstan has significantly deepened its economic ties with China, with trade volumes now ten times greater than those with the U.S. [4] - The country is becoming a potential hotspot for critical minerals and rare earth metals, essential for electric vehicle production and other advanced technologies [2][4] - A recent discovery of a large rare earth deposit could position Kazakhstan as one of the largest rare earth reserves globally, further attracting investment [2] Group 3: Strategic Positioning - Kazakhstan is strategically located between China and Russia, and it aims to avoid over-reliance on either neighbor while seeking investment from Europe and North America [5] - Analysts suggest that the U.S. tariff threats may inadvertently push Kazakhstan closer to China and Russia, undermining the U.S.'s position as a balancing power in the region [5] - The country has historically been a significant recipient of U.S. investment, particularly in oil and gas, but recent trends show a decline in U.S. investments [1][5]