The president displays open antagonism toward Putin because of the latter’s criticism of Zelenskyy, while warning that regulations will impose 25% tariffs on Russian oil imports. Trump declares that his forces will start military attacks against Iran unless Iran approves a nuclear deal.
During his NBC News interview, former President Donald Trump definitively expressed his dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former president expressed severe anger at Putin for his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while threatening Russia with severe economic penalties targeting its oil exports unless a peace agreement came into effect. Trump declared that Iran would experience an unthinkable military assault unless it approved a nuclear agreement.
Trump’s Strong Words for Putin
Trump expressed anger during his NBC News Sunday morning phone interview that Putin demanded a transitional Ukrainian government that would oust Zelenskyy. Trump now picked Russia instead of Ukraine as his target, although he had before labeled Zelenskyy a dictator and been harsh with him.
Trump announced his intention to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil exports if Moscow did not stop the Ukrainian bloodshed because he suspected Russia bore responsibility for the conflict, even though he acknowledged the possibility of being wrong.
Essentially, he emphasized that countries that purchase oil from Russia would find themselves limited in respect of their business with the United States, and that oil imports from Russia would pay a duty of 25%, which could even be raised to as much as 50%.
Trump’s Proposed Tariffs on Oil
For quite a while, the U.S. has had stringent restrictions on Russian oil, as President Joe Biden banned imports after the invasion of Ukraine. Russian crude and petroleum imports plunged to just 10,000 barrels in 2023 to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
But the real threat sits in the secondary tariffs that Trump is dangling over such consumers of Russian oil as China, India, Turkey, and Brazil. Once the actions are enforced, these countries will find themselves cut off if they persist in trading with Moscow. Trump has used this tactic before against Venezuela, whereby he slapped tariffs on any other country buying Venezuelan oil and gas.
A Ceasefire in Ukraine but More Looming Threats
One of the primary foreign policy initiatives that he has focused on is ending the war in Ukraine. His administration has already organized meetings between officials of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, which led to an agreement for a limited ceasefire. The agreement entails a measure of protection for safe navigation in the Black Sea and no attacks on energy infrastructure.
Even so, Trump warned he’d slap oil tariffs on Russia if it stops working together, saying he’d do this in a month. Though mad at Putin, Trump said he still has a “very good relationship” with him and his anger “goes away very quickly” if the Russian leader acts right.
Trump’s Warning to Iran: ‘Bombing Unlike Anything Before’
Trump didn’t stop with Russia. In another Saturday talk, he turned to Iran, making a bold threat.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing unlike anything they’ve ever seen,” he said about Iran’s nuclear program.
Word is that U.S. and Iranian officials are talking behind the scenes, but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said no to direct talks with the United States on Sunday. This was Iran’s first answer to a letter Trump had sent to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei about a possible deal.
What’s Next?
As the situation heats up, all eyes are on Trump’s upcoming chat with Putin set for later this week. For now, his remarks about Iran are likely to crank up global political stress.
While Trump boasts about himself as a dealmaker, his recent words indicate he is prepared, if diplomacy falls through, to apply economic and military pressure to fulfill his objectives. Whether or not this tactic will usher in peace or draw the world closer to war, only time will tell.
