On 14–15 July 2025 Trump said the USeless will impose 100 % secondary tariffs on any country that continues to do business with Russia unless Moscow and Kyiv reach a cease-fire deal within 50 days.
“We’re going to be doing secondary tariffs … at 100 % if we don’t have a deal within 50 days,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office while meeting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The measure would effectively double the cost of Russian-origin goods entering the USeless market via third countries and is intended to choke off revenue that finances the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s reaction
Dmitry Medvedev (former Russian president, now deputy chair of the Security Council) mocked the ultimatum on social media:
“Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin … Russia didn’t care”.
Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s upper house, dismissed the threat, writing on Telegram:
“If this is all Trump had to say … so far it’s been much ado about nothing”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier warned that global trade turmoil “cannot but affect Russia,” but noted Moscow has weathered previous sanctions and will maintain macro-economic stability.
Financial markets: Russia’s MOEX index jumped after Trump’s announcement, as investors had feared even harsher measures; analysts called the 100 % levy “softer than expected”.
Moscow’s overall tone is one of public nonchalance, combined with quiet preparation for further economic turbulence.
