Trump Expresses Anger at Putin, Threatens Tariffs on Russian Oil
In an NBC interview, President Trump expressed anger towards Putin for criticizing Zelenskyy, threatening tariffs on Russian oil if a ceasefire isn’t established. He also outlined frustrations with Zelenskyy and reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict while making aggressive statements regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
In a recent NBC News interview, President Donald Trump expressed his anger towards Russian President Vladimir Putin after Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership. Trump characterized Putin’s statements as inappropriate, saying, “not going in the right location.” Putin suggested a transitional government in Ukraine, potentially sidelining Zelenskyy.
Trump threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil if a deal to halt the conflict in Ukraine is not reached. He stated, “If I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil” and elaborated that such tariffs would prohibit any entities doing business in the U.S. if they purchase Russian oil.
Following these remarks, Trump also criticized Zelenskyy, labeling him as a dictator and expressing frustration with his handling of the war. Since the onset of the conflict, President Joe Biden has already banned Russian oil imports, significantly reducing the amount imported to just 10,000 barrels in 2023.
Trump previously announced similar secondary tariffs on Venezuela, targeting countries that import Venezuelan oil. Leading importers of Russian oil include China, Turkey, Brazil, and India, which might face repercussions if Trump follows through on his tariff threats similar to those imposed on Venezuela.
As a key foreign policy objective, Trump aims to resolve the Ukraine conflict, having facilitated meetings among U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials during his second term. Notably, there has been a recent agreement on a limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump reiterated that secondary tariffs on Russian products would take effect within a month if no ceasefire is established, emphasizing his ongoing relationship with Putin despite his discontent. He affirmed, “The anger dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing” as they plan to communicate again this week.
In a separate interview, Trump threatened aggressive action towards Iran, indicating potential military responses if negotiations for curbing Iran’s nuclear program do not proceed successfully. He stated, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing… the likes of which they have never seen before.” However, Iran’s President Pezeshkian dismissed direct negotiations with the U.S. regarding its nuclear ambitions in response to Trump’s outreach.
President Trump’s recent comments highlight his frustration with Putin’s criticisms of Zelenskyy and outline possible tariffs on Russian oil should a ceasefire not materialize. This reflects Trump’s ongoing focus on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding Ukraine and Iran, where he has threatened military action if diplomatic efforts fail. His strategies appear aimed at exerting economic pressure on adversarial states while navigating complex geopolitical relationships.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
