Donald Trump, the U.S. President, announced that a 25% tariff will be imposed on all countries trading with Iran. According to AFP and others on the 12th (local time), President Trump posted on the social networking service (SNS) Truth Social that “every country doing business with Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on all dealings with the United States,” stating, “This measure takes effect immediately and the order is final and definite.”
Countries like India, Turkey, and China, which are major trading partners of Iran and are under Western sanctions, are being mentioned. Previously, President Trump imposed up to a 50% tariff on India’s purchase of Russian oil. Additionally, if an extra 25% tariff is applied to Chinese products, it may shake the “trade truce” agreed upon with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of last year, according to analysts.
President Trump, when meeting with reporters the previous day, mentioned that talks with Iran are being prepared but also hinted at the possibility of a strong response by saying, “Considering the current situation, we may have to act first before talks take place.” He emphasized on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, “Too many people are dying. I am being briefed hourly, and I will make a final decision.”
In Iran, protests that began on the 28th of last month due to the collapse of its currency and economic difficulties are spreading as anti-government protests. This is being considered the biggest challenge to Iran’s theocratic system since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, where religious leaders hold supreme power. According to the international human rights organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 648 people have died since the start of the protests.
President Trump has publicly supported Iranian protestors and warned the Iranian government to stop their aggressive crackdown. A White House official stated, “President Trump is weighing a blow to Iran but is also keeping the door open for negotiations.”
In response, Iran is strongly opposing but not closing the door to dialogue. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reported that “Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is communicating with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Wittkoff.”