Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Countries Trading with Iran amid Ongoing Protests
WASHINGTON– President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, as Washington evaluates its response to Iran’s largest anti-government protests in years.
“Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a25% tariff on all trade with the United States,” Trump stated on Truth Social, emphasizing the order as “final and conclusive.”
Tariffs are levied on U.S. importers of goods from affected countries. Iran, an OPEC member, has been under U.S. sanctions for years and primarily exports oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, UAE, and India among its top trade partners.
The White House has not published official documentation detailing the legal authority behind the tariffs or whether they will target all of Iran’s trading partners. Requests for comment were not answered.
China criticized the move, stating it will take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests and opposes “any illicit unilateral sanctions.” A Chinese embassy spokesperson added that “tariff wars and trade wars have no winners, and coercion cannot solve problems.”
Japan and South Korea, which signed trade deals with the U.S. last year, are monitoring the situation. South Korea’s trade ministry said it would act once U.S. measures become clear, while Japan pledged to “carefully examine the specific content and potential impact” of the tariffs.
The announcement comes as Iran faces widespread anti-government protests, which began over economic hardships but have evolved into calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. Rights group HRANA reported 599 verified deaths, including 510 protesters and 89 security personnel, since December 28.
Trump has indicated the U.S. may engage with Iranian officials while maintaining pressure on Tehran, including threats of military action. Tehran confirmed that communication channels with Washington remain open.
During his presidency, Trump frequently used tariffs against nations with ties to U.S. adversaries or with trade practices he deemed unfair. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of several of Trump’s previous tariffs. In 2022, Iran exported products to 147 trading partners globally, according to World Bank data.
