Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Russia if no deal on Ukraine in 50 days
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia if a deal on ending the war in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.
Trump expressed significant displeasure with Russia and voiced his disappointment in President Vladimir Putin. He conveyed his frustration, stating, "I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there." He emphasized the direct consequence of continued stalemate: "So, based on that, we’re going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple – and they’ll be 100%." This aggressive stance highlights Trump's desire for a swift end to the conflict and his willingness to exert significant economic pressure to achieve it.
During the discussion, Trump controversially labeled the Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, as "Biden's war," asserting, "It wasn’t my war ... I’m trying to get you out of it." This framing aligns with his consistent narrative of distancing himself from the conflict's origins while positioning himself as a potential peacemaker.
In a significant development for military aid, Trump also announced that the United States would facilitate the supply of weapons to Ukraine through NATO, with a critical caveat: European allies would bear the entire cost. He clarified the arrangement: "We made a deal today … We are going to be sending them weapons that they are going to be paying for. The United States will not be having any payment made. We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it." This move suggests a strategic shift in how the U.S. might contribute to Ukraine's defense, prioritizing domestic manufacturing capabilities while seeking financial contributions from European partners.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte corroborated the agreement, stating, "The US has decided to indeed massively supply Ukraine with what is necessary through NATO. Europeans (are) 100% paying for that.
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