U.S. President Donald Trump has warned he may impose new secondary tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on countries purchasing Russian oil, expressing frustration over what he sees as Moscow’s obstruction of his peace efforts in Ukraine.
In a Sunday interview with NBC News, Trump stated he was “pissed off” following recent comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin that questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said that if Russia continues to block progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, he will take decisive action targeting global buyers of Russian oil.
“If Russia and I can’t make a deal to end the bloodshed, and if I believe Russia is at fault, then there will be tariffs,” Trump said. “Anyone buying oil from Russia won’t be allowed to do business in the U.S. There will be a 25 to 50% tariff on all Russian oil.”
These tariffs, Trump added, could be implemented within a month.
The move signals a shift in Trump’s approach to Russia. Since returning to office in January, he has taken a more conciliatory tone toward Moscow, raising concern among Western allies. However, his latest remarks indicate a growing impatience over the stalemate in Ukraine, now in its third year since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Trump maintains he still has a “very good relationship” with Putin, but added his anger could subside if Russia cooperates in ending the war. He plans to speak with Putin this week, though the White House has not confirmed the timing of the call or whether a conversation with Zelenskyy is also planned.
Trump’s comments followed a weekend meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Florida. According to Stubb’s office, he proposed April 20 as a deadline for establishing a ceasefire, marking Trump’s third month in office.
Adding pressure to his foreign policy approach, Trump hinted he could extend similar sanctions to buyers of Iranian oil if Tehran fails to reach a deal over its nuclear weapons program.
In addition to targeting Russia, Trump’s trade strategy has already impacted several countries, including China and India. He recently imposed a 25% secondary tariff on U.S. imports from countries buying Venezuelan oil or gas. A similar measure against countries purchasing Russian oil could particularly affect India and China—India currently sources about 35% of its crude oil imports from Russia.
Experts like William Reinsch from the Center for Strategic and International Studies warn that the unpredictability of Trump’s trade threats could create confusion, especially regarding enforcement and tracking of Russian oil purchases.
While the U.S. has not imported Russian crude since April 2022, Trump’s secondary sanctions could disrupt global trade, affecting allies and adversaries alike.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging Ukraine to accept a new critical minerals deal that would allocate a significant portion of its future natural resources revenue to American interests. Zelenskyy has stated that his legal team is still reviewing the draft.
Trump continues to call the Ukraine conflict a “ridiculous war” and says he is determined to end it, but critics note his approach has yet to yield meaningful progress.
