U.S. President expressed his frustration with Russian President, stating he would impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on buyers of Russian oil if he believes Moscow is obstructing efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. This anger was amplified by Putin's recent disparagement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's leadership.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has adopted a more conciliatory approach toward Russia, raising concerns among Western allies as he attempts to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. His remarks on Sunday indicated growing impatience with the lack of progress on a ceasefire.
"If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, I will impose secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia," Trump stated. He added that any business dealings involving oil purchases from Russia would be banned in the United States.
Trump mentioned that he could implement these new trade measures within a month, although there was no immediate response from Moscow. Russia has characterized many Western sanctions as illegal and aimed at exploiting economic rivalry.
While at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump indicated he plans to speak with Putin this week, noting that the two leaders have had announced phone calls recently but may have communicated more frequently. The White House has not provided details about the timing of the call or whether Trump will also consult with Zelenskiy.
Trump has called the ongoing conflict a "ridiculous" war, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but he has made little progress in addressing it.
Putin recently suggested that Ukraine could be placed under some form of oversight to facilitate new elections that might lead to Zelenskiy's removal. While Trump has criticized Zelenskiy as a dictator and called for new elections in Ukraine, he also mentioned that he and Putin could quickly mend their relationship if the Russian leader acts appropriately.
Following a day of discussions with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who visited Florida, Trump was urged to establish a deadline for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, with Stubb proposing April 20.
U.S. officials are pressuring Kyiv to accept a critical minerals agreement, with reports indicating that Washington is demanding a significant share of Ukraine's natural resource revenues. Zelenskiy stated that his legal team needs to review the proposal further.
Trump's tariff threats could compound the existing trade challenges faced by China, India, and other nations due to measures enacted in his first two months in office, including duties on steel, aluminum, and vehicles. Additional tariffs targeting countries with significant trade surpluses are expected to be announced soon.
William Reinsch, a former senior Commerce Department official, noted that Trump's erratic announcements regarding tariffs raise questions, particularly about how U.S. officials could trace and verify purchases of Russian oil.
Trump's comments followed the imposition of tariffs on U.S. imports from countries purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela. His statements suggest potential action against imports from countries buying oil from Russia, likely affecting China and India severely.
Historically, the U.S. has not imported any Russian crude oil since April 2022, while Indian imports of Russian crude have surged, making it the top buyer of seaborne Russian oil, which accounted for about 35% of India's total crude imports in 2024.
Trump also indicated he could impose secondary sanctions if Iran does not reach an agreement to halt its nuclear weapons program.