U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was “pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin and will impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on buyers of Russian oil if he feels Moscow is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump told NBC News he was very angry after Putin last week criticized the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership, the television network reported, citing a telephone interview early on Sunday.
It sounds like you’re referring to a hypothetical or speculative scenario where U.S. President Donald Trump expresses anger toward Russian President Vladimir Putin over a potential breakdown in Ukraine-related negotiations, possibly threatening tariffs in response.
If this is based on recent reports, it could reflect Trump’s tougher rhetoric toward Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine. Trump has historically taken a mixed approach to Putin—sometimes praising him while at other times criticizing Russian actions.
Key Points to Consider:
- Trump’s Past Stance on Russia – While Trump often avoided direct confrontation with Putin during his presidency, he did impose sanctions (like the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and expelled Russian diplomats in response to malign activities.
- Economic Pressure (Tariffs) – Trump is known for using tariffs as a foreign policy tool (e.g., China trade war). Threatening tariffs on Russia could be a way to exert economic leverage.
- Ukraine Deal Context – If Moscow were to block a potential Ukraine peace deal or escalate aggression, Trump (or any U.S. leader) might respond with economic measures.
