Did Russia Sell Any Products to the U.S. During the Cold War?

During the Cold War, the economic relationships between the Soviet Union (SU) and the United States (U.S.) were complex and often indirect. While the SU focused on selling oil and natural gas, and importing hard currencies from Western Europe, there were instances where direct trade occurred, primarily facilitated by businessmen aligned with Soviet interests.

The Structure of Soviet Exports and Imports

The SU's exports to the U.S. featured a diverse range of goods, but they were not significant in terms of volume. According to historical records, U.S. exports to the SU were more balanced, with mineral fuels and lubricants, chemicals, and manufactured goods making up 80 to 90 percent of total imports during the era.

Armand Hammer: A Businessman in the Middle

One of the key figures in facilitating trade relations was Armand Hammer, a pro-Soviet American business magnate of Occidental Petroleum. Hammer played a crucial role during the period of détente in 1972, negotiating a twenty-year agreement with Brezhnev, the leader of the Soviet Union. This agreement, signed by Hammer in 1973, involved the export of phosphate from Occidental's mines in northern Florida in exchange for natural gas imported by the Soviet Union through Hammer's firms, which would then be converted into ammonia, potash, and urea.

The estimated value of this trade was around 20 billion dollars, a substantial figure that facilitated significant economic ties. The construction of Soviet port facilities, which were designed by Hammer’s firms, was partially financed by the Export-Import Bank as endorsed by President Nixon.

Support for Trade Agreements During the Cold War

Daniel Yergin, in his book The Prize, provides insight into the importance of this trade agreement for both parties. According to Yergin, Hammer played a vital role in these negotiations and the agreement marked a significant economic milestone. News outlets like the New York Times and Christian Science Monitor covered these developments extensively in the 1970s and 1980s, underscoring the significance of these trade relations.

Other Instances of Trade

While the primary focus of the SU's exports to the U.S. was energy resources, there were other instances of indirect trade. For example, the U.S. government sometimes bought titanium through shell companies for classified military projects, such as the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane. This purchase was controversial and part of the U.S. intelligence community's efforts to maintain an edge against Soviet technological advancements.

It is also worth noting that the SU's manufacturing output during the Cold War was not typically competitive in the open market. Exceptions were primarily made for 2nd-rate military gear, which the U.S. and other countries found useful for training and testing purposes.

In conclusion, while direct trade between the U.S. and the SU was limited during the Cold War, strategic and planned trade agreements facilitated by influential businesspeople like Armand Hammer played a role in these economic exchanges. These transactions, while significant, did not significantly alter the broader dynamics of economic and military competition during this era.