Trump slaps 50% tariffs on countries arming Iran

April 09, 2026 / 5:21 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that any country supplying weapons to Iran will face an immediate 50% tariff on exports to the United States, with no exceptions. The move came hours after a two-week ceasefire agreement with Tehran, intended to pressure Iran and its allies.

Trump used a social media post to signal the tariffs, warning China and Russia against assisting Iran in rebuilding its military capabilities. While both countries deny recent arms sales, concerns over Russian support persist.

The president did not clarify the legal basis for the tariffs, following a US Supreme Court ruling in February that overturned his previous use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which had already led to the return of $166 billion in collected tariffs.

Chinese officials denied supplying Iran with military or dual-use technology, stressing their support for peace talks and condemning actions that escalate conflicts.

Trump’s tariffs have previously reduced US imports from China from $538.5 billion in 2018 to $308.4 billion in 2025, while imports from Russia have also declined sharply amid sanctions related to the Ukraine war.