Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing frustration over Moscow’s stance on Ukraine and threatening to impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on nations purchasing Russian oil.
In a televised interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump stated he was "pissed off" at Putin, following the Russian leader’s recent comments questioning the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump, who has pursued a more conciliatory approach toward Russia since taking office in January, signaled a potential shift as he seeks to broker an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Tariff Threats and Diplomatic Frictions
Trump’s latest remarks underscore his mounting frustration over stalled ceasefire negotiations. “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, I will impose secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia,” he asserted.
Under the proposed measures, entities purchasing Russian oil would face significant trade restrictions with the United States. “If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the U.S. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, possibly up to 50%,” Trump elaborated.
The announcement signals an aggressive stance, potentially impacting major importers of Russian crude such as China and India. Trump suggested these measures could be enacted within a month, pending further developments in diplomatic negotiations.
Geopolitical Implications and Economic Concerns
Moscow has yet to issue an official response to Trump’s threat. Historically, Russia has dismissed Western sanctions as “illegal” and an attempt to exert economic dominance over its global rivals.
Trump’s warnings also come amid reports that he plans to engage in direct talks with Putin this week. Since returning to office, the U.S. president has had at least two publicly acknowledged calls with his Russian counterpart, though Kremlin sources suggest additional undisclosed communications may have occurred.
The White House has not confirmed the timing of Trump’s next conversation with Putin or whether he will also speak with Zelenskiy. Efforts to broker a peace deal have seen little progress, despite Trump’s insistence on ending what he has repeatedly labeled a "ridiculous" war.
Potential Economic Fallout
Beyond diplomatic tensions, Trump’s tariff threats introduce significant economic implications. Analysts warn that enforcing secondary tariffs on Russian oil could disrupt global energy markets, with potential ripple effects on U.S. allies and trade partners.
The administration’s stance is reminiscent of last week’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on U.S. imports from any nation purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela. If extended to Russian crude, major buyers like India—where Russian oil accounted for approximately 35% of total crude imports in 2024—could face heightened economic pressures.
Additionally, Trump hinted at the possibility of targeting Iranian oil buyers with similar secondary sanctions should Tehran fail to agree to new terms regarding its nuclear program.
International Reactions and Strategic Moves
The president’s latest tariff threats come amid heightened diplomatic engagement. Over the weekend, Trump met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who reportedly urged him to set a firm deadline for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. Stubb suggested April 20 as a potential milestone, marking Trump’s third month back in office.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have been pressuring Kyiv to accept a critical minerals agreement that would see Ukraine allocating significant portions of its natural resource income to Washington. Zelenskiy has insisted that Kyiv’s legal teams must review the terms before any commitments are made.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine remains controversial. He has previously called for new elections in the war-torn country while characterizing Zelenskiy as a dictator. On Sunday, he reinforced his belief that Ukraine should never be part of NATO and criticized Zelenskiy’s hesitance over the rare earth minerals agreement. “If he’s trying to back out of the deal, he’s got big problems,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s tariff strategy, coupled with his push for direct negotiations, adds a new layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape. With additional trade measures against nations holding large trade surpluses set to be announced later this week, global markets remain on edge.
Whether the threat of tariffs will compel Russia to alter its approach to Ukraine remains uncertain. However, Trump’s latest statements indicate a willingness to escalate economic pressure as a means of forcing a resolution to the prolonged conflict.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.