During an Oval Office appearance with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump warned that if Russia “doesn’t stop bombing Ukraine within 50 days,” the United States will impose 100 percent duties on the U.S. imports of any third-country that continues to purchase from Russia.
WHAT “SECONDARY TARIFFS” MEAN
The President described the measure as a secondary tariff—penalties applied not to Russian goods, but to exports from nations that buy from Russia. The White House did not specify which commodities would trigger the duty, stating only that a formal decision will follow if Moscow’s attacks continue.
“SANCTIONING RUSSIA ACT OF 2025”
On Capitol Hill, the “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025” (S. 1241)—still pending—would require the President to raise U.S. tariff rates to at least 500% ad valorem on imports from countries that knowingly buy Russian oil, uranium, natural gas, or other petroleum products.
SEPTEMBER DEADLINE
The 50-day period identified by the President expires on September 2, 2025. Unless the conflict de-escalates or the administration grants waivers, companies whose supply chains run through countries still purchasing Russian commodities could face steep compliance and cost challenges under either the executive action or future legislation.
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