Washington D.C., July 15 — In a strong message to Russia and its energy trade partners, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that he may slap a 100 percent secondary tariff on countries importing oil, gas, or uranium from Russia. Standing beside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump made it clear: if Moscow doesn’t work toward a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days, these tariffs will take effect.
“We’re very, very unhappy with them,” Trump said with evident frustration. “If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent — you’d call them secondary tariffs.”
This move, if implemented, won’t just hurt Russia — it may create ripple effects across the globe. Countries like India, which has been buying Russian oil to support its own energy needs, could become unintended targets in this standoff.
For Trump, the strategy is simple: cut off the funds fueling Russia’s military by limiting its energy exports. He believes that pressuring countries like China and India to stop purchasing Russian oil might push the Kremlin to the negotiating table. “If you want peace, you have to hit where it hurts,” Trump hinted.
He voiced support for a separate bill proposing a 500 percent tariff on countries buying Russian energy, introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham, who has rallied bipartisan backing. Still, Trump was confident he could act without it. “I don’t need it. I already have the power,” he said.
India, meanwhile, has maintained that its oil purchases from Russia are a matter of national interest. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar defended the policy last year, saying it actually helped prevent global oil prices from soaring to $200 a barrel. “It wasn’t about cheap oil — it was about global stability,” Jaishankar said.
In a candid moment, Trump recalled his attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. “I thought we had a deal four times,” he said, disappointed. “But it just kept going on and on.”
He ended his address by announcing new U.S. military support for Ukraine, including Patriot missiles and advanced defense systems, reinforcing his commitment to helping Kyiv resist further aggression.
Whether these threats will push Moscow toward peace or ignite new tensions among U.S. allies remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the world will be watching closely over the next 50 days.
