US President evaluates the effectiveness of trade restrictions in conflicts
US President Donald Trump announced the possibility of imposing 200% trade tariffs against Ukraine and Russia to secure a peace agreement. At the same time, the White House chief acknowledged that such a measure might not work due to insufficient bilateral trade volumes. This was reported by Glavcom citing The Wall Street Journal, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The American leader noted that the United States had previously managed to stop five military conflicts by using the threat of imposing high tariffs. However, in the situation regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, this instrument of economic pressure may prove to be ineffective.
Trade restrictions
“We ended five wars thanks to tariffs. I said: ‘If you keep fighting, we’re going to put a 200% tariff on you,’ and they stopped,” Donald J. Trump stated. According to the US President, it had never crossed his mind to immediately use this method against both nations.
Trade volumes
At the same time, the head of state stated that Washington buys too few goods from Ukraine and Russia to exert real influence through such restrictions. Because of this, the direct application of a 200% tariff will not yield the expected result in the negotiation process to end hostilities.
Diplomatic contacts
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Russia seeks to establish control over the Donbas but lacks the military capability to seize it. On its part, Ukraine refuses to cede this region due to issues of national sovereignty and long-term security.
Negotiation preparations
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Following this, preparations were discussed for a new trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, alongside updates regarding the operation of Starlink communication systems.
Illustrative photo: https://www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump/photos/a.488852220724.393301.153080620724/10159419638630725/?type=3&theater / Public domain
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