The U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after signing executive orders inside the Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of his second presidential term, in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
Trump Threatens Tariffs and Sanctions to Press Russia on Ukraine War Resolution
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to impose new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, as well as potentially other countries involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, if a resolution is not reached soon. Trump outlined his approach in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, modifying earlier remarks about likely sanctions against Russia.
Expanded Measures on the Table
Trump warned that failure to achieve a negotiated settlement would leave him with “no other choice” but to levy “high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”
While Trump did not specify which nations he considers “participants” or how their involvement is defined, his comments suggest an expansion of economic penalties beyond Russia itself.
Russia’s Response Pending
Neither Russia’s embassy in Washington nor its mission to the United Nations immediately responded to requests for comment.
Building on Existing Sanctions
The Biden administration has already imposed extensive sanctions targeting Russia’s banking, defense, manufacturing, energy, technology, and other sectors since the war began in February 2022. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury implemented its toughest measures yet on Russia’s energy revenues, targeting oil producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, and sanctioning 183 vessels from Russia’s “dark fleet” of tankers.
A Familiar Strategy
Trump’s threat to use tariffs as a diplomatic tool aligns with his past strategies, where he used duties to push Mexico, Canada, and China toward non-trade goals, including reducing illegal migration and curbing fentanyl flows.
However, Russia plays a smaller role in U.S. trade compared to those nations. Imports from Russia have plummeted from $29.6 billion in 2021 to $2.9 billion through the first 11 months of 2024. The U.S. banned Russian oil imports after the invasion, though it continues to import some precious metals, including palladium for automotive catalytic converters.
Sanctions on Other Nations
Beyond Russia, the Biden administration had imposed sanctions on entities in China, North Korea, and Iran for allegedly supporting Russia’s war efforts. Trump’s remarks suggest a willingness to extend penalties to other states he perceives as complicit.
Message to Russia and Putin
Trump framed the potential sanctions as an opportunity for Russia to avoid further economic hardship. “I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War!” he wrote.
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