US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners if Moscow fails to agree to a peace deal to resolve the Ukraine conflict within the next 50 days. This move marks a significant escalation in economic pressure on Russia, with Trump expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war.
During a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump declared, “We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days… And they’ll be at 100 percent.” The tariffs would target countries that continue to trade with Russia, including major importers of Russian oil and gas like China and India. Trump’s tariff strategy is part of a broader “America First” trade policy, aiming to isolate Russia economically and compel it to negotiate.
The Kremlin has responded cautiously to Trump’s tariff threat. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, stated that Moscow is closely monitoring the West’s supply of weapons to Ukraine and that no phone call is currently planned between Trump and Putin. However, Peskov added that a call could quickly be arranged if needed. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked Trump’s warning, saying Russia didn’t care about the threat.
The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia launching a massive drone and missile attack on Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Vinnytsia. The Ukrainian air force successfully shot down most of the drones, but 12 targets were hit, and at least 15 people were injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stronger defenses, stating, “Russia does not change its strategy, and to effectively counter this terror, we need a systemic strengthening of defences: more air defences, more interceptor [missiles], more determination to make Russia feel our response.”
Trump announced that the US would supply more weapons to Ukraine, with European allies buying “billions and billions” of dollars of US military equipment to be transferred to Kyiv. The plan includes Patriot air defense systems, which Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian missile and drone attacks. However, Trump said Ukraine should not target Moscow, contradicting a recent report that suggested he encouraged Zelenskyy to step up strikes deep inside Russian territory.
The tariff threat has significant implications for global trade, particularly for countries that maintain economic ties with Russia. Major economies like China and India could face substantial economic consequences if targeted. The US aims to isolate Russia economically and compel it to negotiate, but the move risks complicating relations with other global powers.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with Trump’s tariff threat adding another layer of complexity to the conflict. As the deadline approaches, the international community watches to see whether this combination of pressure can force a breakthrough or risk inflaming geopolitical tensions further.