Trump Declares Tariff Readiness to Pressure Russia Over Ukraine

United States President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to tariffs, emphasizing their role as a vital policy tool in response to ongoing geopolitical tensions. This declaration comes as Trump prepares to impose significant tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to cease its military actions in Ukraine.

According to Associate Professor Paul Poast of the University of Chicago, Trump has consistently labeled himself a “tariff man” since his initial term in office. In an interview with ANI, Poast stated, “US President Donald Trump loves tariffs. Going back to his first term, he labeled himself a tariff man. Going into this term, throughout the campaign, he kept bringing up tariffs as a policy that he was going to favor, and that has proven to be the case during his first several months in office.”

This stance is partly driven by Trump’s criticism of countries such as India, China, and European nations that continue to purchase oil from Russia amid the ongoing conflict. Poast noted that Trump’s demand for tariffs is “a little bit understandable,” as these purchases enable Russia to fund its military efforts.

India’s position in this scenario is seen as both strategic and pragmatic. Poast described the nation as taking advantage of discounted Russian oil while maintaining a neutral stance on the conflict. “I kind of view India as recently being the epitome of the realpolitik country,” Poast explained. “They’re like, we’re not condoning the war; we might as well take advantage of the cheap energy, and that’s been a big part of where they’ve come in.”

Trump’s resolve appears to be solidified by these dynamics, with Poast asserting that this situation compels Trump to take a firmer stance. “I think that has now led Trump to say, No, that’s not acceptable because the best way to stop Russia is to completely cut off their ability to sell oil,” he stated.

At the recent 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Trump reiterated his willingness to impose heavy tariffs on Russia. He remarked, “In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs.”

Moreover, Trump expressed disappointment towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “He let me down. I mean, he’s killing many people, and he’s losing more people than he’s, you know, than he’s killing.” This statement followed a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where Trump highlighted the high casualty rates among Russian soldiers compared to Ukrainian forces.

The former president has also criticized NATO and European nations for their continued oil purchases from Russia. In his remarks, Trump stated, “They’re not doing the job. NATO has to get together. Europe has to get together.” He emphasized that current sanctions are insufficient and expressed his willingness to implement tougher measures if necessary.

As the conflict continues to unfold, Trump’s approach reflects a broader strategy aimed at leveraging economic pressure to influence international behavior. His administration’s focus on tariffs as a tool for foreign policy demonstrates a significant shift in how trade relations are navigated on the global stage.