Trading Partner Portal: Belarus
Overview
Trade Overview
In Geneva in March 2022, the U.S., the EU and more than a dozen other World Trade Organization members issued a joint statement condemning Belarus’ support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and affirmed their intent to block its bid to join the WTO. “We have concluded that Belarus is unfit for WTO membership. We will not further consider its application for accession,” the members said.
The Republic of Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the Northeast, Ukraine to the South, Poland to the West, and Lithuania and Latvia to the Northwest. Over 40% of the country is forested. The population of Belarus is roughly 9.13 million, with GDP coming in at $75.9 billion in 2024 and GDP per capita equaling $8,316. Belarus’ major economic sectors are service industries and manufacturing.
Belarus declared independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Belarus is a member of the United Nations and the Eurasian Economic Union. The country is not a part of the EU; however, it does maintain a bilateral relationship with the organization.
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Belarus were established just over 25 years ago. The U.S. has provided nearly $250 million of assistance to Belarus since 1991 to support the development of a more democratic society and a more prosperous economy. Over the years, thousands of Belarusians have come to the United States on academic and professional exchange programs.
U.S. – Belarusian Trade
Two-way goods trade between the two countries equaled $31 billion in 2024, the U.S. exported $11 million worth of goods to Belarus in 2024, down significantly from the $218 million in 2021. Top exports were processed foods ($3 million), chemicals ($3 million), computer and electronic products ($2 million), other special classification provisions ($1 million), and miscellaneous manufactures ($1 million).
Imports from Belarus to the U.S. totaled $20 million in 2024. This was mostly made up of processed foods ($8 million), fabricated metals ($4 million), textile mill products ($2 million), printed matter & related products ($2 million), computer and electronic products ($1 million).
California – Belarusian Trade
California exported $2 million worth of goods to Belarus in 2024. Other special classification provisions had the largest share of total exports at $ 1 million, while computer and electronic products, leather & allied products, agricultural products, products supporting agriculture and forestry all came in at less than $1 million.
California imported $1 million worth of goods from Belarus in 2024, all top products, such as textiles and fabrics, processed foods, non-electrical machinery, and plastics and rubber products, and computer and electronic products, all came in at less than $1 million.
FDI – Belarus
According to the U.S. BEA, Belarus invested $23 million into the U.S. in 2023.
Trade Agreements
Trade Agreements and Issues
Events
Events
On February 15, 2018 Susanne Stirling, Vice President of International AFfairs at the CalChamber, met with Dr. Florin Ciuriuc a Sacramento Slavic-American Community Leader. Dr. Ciuriuc is the Executive Director of the Slavic Community Center in Sacramento and a Human Rights Advocate. Dr. Ciuriuc is set to become the Honorary Consul of Belarus in Sacramento.
He can be contacted at slaviccommunitycenter@yahoo.com.