A bizarre formula, some strange inclusions and exclusions, and some allies who sought to avoid the tariffs left in the lurch.

While U.S. 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.

President Donald Trump excluded Russia and North Korea from his “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement Wednesday, leaving many wondering why he would discipline allies like the European Union, but not others.