△ Trump (file photo)
On the 14th local time, U.S. President Trump expressed great dissatisfaction with Russia and threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Russia.
'We are very, very dissatisfied with (Russia). If we do not reach an agreement within 50 days, we will impose very severe tariffs. The tax rate will be about 100%.' Trump then mentioned imposing secondary tariffs but did not specify.
A White House official later explained to reporters that Trump's intention was that if an agreement between Russia and Ukraine is not reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose a 100% tariff on Russia and secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. This official did not provide detailed information about the secondary tariffs.
Trump: Uncertain if the sanctions bill against Russia is necessary
When discussing a new bill in the U.S. Senate that is moving forward with harsh sanctions against Russia, Trump stated, 'I am not sure if we need this.'
Trump stated that some senior Republican members of the Senate are actively pushing this matter. He does not want them to 'waste time.' However, he also mentioned, 'This could be very useful; we will wait and see.'
Russian stock market surged 2%
On the 14th local time, influenced by the latest statements from U.S. President Trump, the Russian stock market continued to strengthen, with the Moscow Exchange Index rising to around 2700 points, a daily increase of 2%.
The new plan to 'arm Ukraine'
Previously, Trump stated on the 10th that he would make a 'major announcement' regarding Russia on the 14th local time.
According to a report from the U.S. Axios news website on the 13th, two sources stated that Trump would announce a new plan to 'arm Ukraine' on the 14th local time, which is expected to include providing offensive weapons to Ukraine. The sources said they have reason to believe that the plan may include providing long-range missiles capable of striking deep targets within Russia, such as Moscow. The report pointed out that if the U.S. announces the provision of offensive weapons to Ukraine, it would represent a significant shift in U.S. policy.
On the 14th, when asked about the U.S. President's announcement to provide Ukraine with 'Patriot' air defense missile systems, Russian President's spokesman Peskov stated that, in fact, the U.S. has been supplying weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to Ukraine. Despite multiple assertions from the U.S. about the high costs of military support, weapons and military supplies continue to flow to Ukraine.
