Beijing: A day after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to end the Ukraine war within 50 days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov struck back, saying Russia is prepared to handle any new sanctions and questioned Trump’s motivations behind the ultimatum.
“We want to understand what the US President is moved by,” Lavrov said at a press conference on Tuesday during the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in China.
“I have no doubt we will cope with new sanctions,” he added firmly.
Trump’s Threat of 100% Tariffs
On Monday, Trump issued a stern warning, saying the US could levy secondary tariffs of up to 100% on Russia if it does not agree to a peace deal within 50 days.
“We’re very, very unhappy with them. And we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent, you’d call them secondary tariffs,” Trump had said.
Russian Officials Reject Ultimatum
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian officials categorically rejected Trump’s threat, calling the ultimatum “unacceptable”.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated:
“We first and foremost note that any attempts to make demands — especially ultimatums — are unacceptable for us,” according to state-run Tass news agency.
Tensions Remain High
The escalating rhetoric highlights the fragile and increasingly hostile state of US-Russia relations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While the US continues to explore diplomatic and economic pressure tactics, Moscow has remained defiant, asserting it is ready to withstand further sanctions and external threats.
Lavrov’s comments indicate that Russia views the proposed tariffs not just as economic pressure, but as political posturing, particularly as Trump ramps up his campaign messaging in the lead-up to the US elections.