Washington D.C.: President Donald Trump announced today that he will impose ‘very severe tariffs’ on Russia if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. The declaration came during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump stated that if an agreement isn’t finalized within the specified timeframe, the U.S. will implement ‘secondary tariffs,’ which he indicated would be at a 100% rate. These secondary tariffs would target Russia’s trading partners in an effort to further isolate Moscow economically.
The President emphasized his use of trade as a tool to achieve various objectives, including resolving conflicts. ‘I use trade for a lot of things,’ he said, adding, ‘But it’s great for settling wars.’
This announcement reflects a growing frustration on the part of President Trump regarding the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. While he had previously expressed a belief that Russia was more inclined towards a peace deal, the relentless Russian assaults on civilian areas have seemingly worn down his patience.
In addition to the tariff threat, Trump and Rutte discussed a plan to significantly increase the supply of U.S. weapons to Ukraine. Trump confirmed that the U.S. would send much-needed Patriot air defense missiles, with European allies agreeing to cover the full cost of the weaponry. This signifies a shift in strategy, with European nations directly financing U.S.-manufactured defense equipment for Ukraine.
