Donald Trump announces 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran
US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on countries that do business with Iran, “effective immediately”.
Mr Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform on Monday evening (local time).
“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” he wrote.
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Mr Trump did not share details of what qualifies as “doing business” with Iran or which countries’ imports will be hit hardest.
Iran’s largest trading partner is China, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.
The announcement comes as Mr Trump weighs military intervention amid reports that hundreds of people have been killed across the country amid violent protests against the regime.
The US President told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time) that Tehran had called him to “negotiate” but cautioned he might have to act beforehand as the reported death toll climbed.
According to the latest figures, from activists inside and outside Iran, US-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has verified the deaths of 572 protesters and 69 security personnel, with more than 10,694 people arrested in two weeks of unrest.
Mr Trump said he would be deciding on military action “very soon”.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military’s looking at it and we’re looking at some very strong options,” he said.
More to come...
