Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Russia if no deal on Ukraine in 50 days

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia if a deal on ending the war in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.

Speaking during a meeting with incoming NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Oval Office, Trump said he was “very unhappy” with Russia and disappointed in President Vladimir Putin.

“I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there,” Trump said.

“So, based on that, we’re going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple — and they’ll be 100%.”

Calling the Ukraine war, which continues since February 2022, “Biden’s war,” Trump said: “I would like to see it end. It wasn’t my war ... I’m trying to get you out of it.”

He also announced that the US will supply Ukraine with weapons through NATO, but added that European allies will cover the full cost.

“We made a deal today … We are going to be sending them weapons that they are going to be paying for. The United States will not be having any payment made. We're not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it,” he said.

Rutte confirmed the arrangement, saying: “The US has decided to indeed massively supply Ukraine with what is necessary through NATO. Europeans [are] 100% paying for that.”