Trump’s 100% Tariff Ultimatum: Can the U.S. Squeeze Russia With Almost No Trade Left?

President Trump has warned Russia that the US will impose 100% tariffs if Moscow does not agree to a Ukraine peace deal within 50 days.

The ultimatum sounds tough, but official data shows there’s little left to tax between the two countries. In 2024, total trade in goods between the US and Russia dropped to about $3.5 billion.

US exports to Russia were just $526 million, while imports from Russia stood at $3 billion. This marks a collapse of over 90% since 2021, before the Ukraine war and sanctions.

The US now sends Russia mostly specialized equipment, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Russia’s main exports to the US are fertilizers, metals, and timber. Energy imports, once a major part of the trade, have nearly vanished.

With direct trade so low, Trump’s focus is on “secondary tariffs.” These would target not just Russian goods, but also countries that keep trading with Russia—especially those buying its oil, metals, or other key exports.

The US has already placed secondary sanctions on hundreds of foreign companies, mainly from China, the UAE, and Turkey, for helping Russia sidestep restrictions.

The new tariffs are meant to pressure Russia’s remaining trade partners, making it harder for Moscow to access global markets. At the same time, the US has changed its approach to military aid for Ukraine.

American companies now sell advanced weapons, like Patriot missile systems, to NATO allies, who then transfer them to Ukraine. This allows the US to support Ukraine while sharing costs with Europe and limiting direct involvement.

These moves matter for everyone. Even small volumes of US-Russia trade affect global supply chains, especially for fertilizers and metals. Sanctions and tariffs can raise prices and disrupt markets far beyond the US and Russia.

The US is using its influence in global finance and trade to pressure Russia and its partners, hoping to shape the outcome of the conflict and the future of international commerce.

The real story is that while Trump’s 100% tariff threat makes headlines, its true impact depends on how much the US can squeeze Russia’s remaining trade partners. The world is watching to see if these measures will further isolate Russia or simply push its business to new markets.