Moscow/Washington, May 8 (UNI) Notwithstanding the US sanctions, trade between Russia and the United States reached a two-year high of $573.4 million in March, according to data from the US statistics service. The stats show an increase in Russian exports to the US, and higher imports from Washington.

According to Sputnik, in March, bilateral trade rose by 50% from $389.4 million in February, with the figure reaching a record-high level since March 2023, when trade totaled $628.5 million, the data showed.

Notably, relations between the two sides have considerably improved since US President Donald Trump occupied the White House on January 20 this year. The sanctions were imposed by the previous Biden administration in reprisal for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian exports to the US increased by 50% to $523.45 million in March from $339.6 million a month earlier, which triggered the growth in trade turnover.

The US, on the other hand, boosted the imports of fertilisers up to $219 million. American companies also bought $87.5 million worth of platinum, $6 million worth of plywood and $5 million worth of phosphates in March from Russia.

At the same time, US exports to Russia remained at their February level of $50 million, according to the statistics. In March, Russia imported $14.8 million worth of vaccines, $6.2 million worth of medical instruments, $5.7 million worth of food products and $3.7 million worth of lab testing equipment.

UNI/SPUTNIK ANV RN