Trade
Smuggled Grand Pianos Show Trump’s Challenge in Pressuring Putin
- High-end Japanese pianos still reach Russia despite export ban
- Report highlights Tokyo’s struggle to enforce sanctions
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While US-led export controls on Russia have primarily targeted weapons components and high-end chips, a less threatening product shows just how hard it will be for Donald Trump to squeeze Vladimir Putin’s economy: Japanese grand pianos.
Along with many other US allies, Japan barred the export of luxury goods to Russia a few months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022. Grand pianos valued at more than around $1,300 were included on Tokyo’s list of banned goods.