Trump announces 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran

New Delhi, Jan 13: US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on goods from countries that have commercial ties with Iran, a move aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran as anti-government protests enter their third week, the BBC reported.

According to the BBC, Trump said on social media that the tariff would be “effective immediately”, but did not clarify what activities would qualify as “doing business” with Iran. “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the order was “final and conclusive”.

The BBC said China is Iran’s largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India. The White House has not provided further details on how the tariff will be implemented or which countries will be most affected.

The announcement comes amid escalating unrest in Iran, sparked by economic hardship and a sharp fall in the value of the rial, with human rights groups reporting hundreds of deaths during the protests.