The White House has clarified its decision to keep Russia off President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs list after it raised some eyebrows, explaining that Moscow already faced tough sanctions – and the threat of even more loomed large.

MOSCOW: While US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on allies and foes including Europe, India, Japan and China, some of the world's most heavily sanctioned countries - Russia, Belarus, Cuba and North Korea - avoided being singled out for special punitive treatment.

The Trump administration says sanctions imposed on Moscow mean the U.S. does little trade with Russia, but questions persist about the motivations.