Donald Trump is poised to unleash “shock and awe” sanctions against Russian exports mere days after mobilising two nuclear submarines. The US president said he would give Vladimir Putin 10 days to reach a deal on the war in Ukraine or risk being hit with severe restrictions on its oil exports. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, suggested Mr Trump is poised to impose the penalties by August 8 – just one week away.
He told The Telegraph: “When and if secondary sanctions hit, it’s going to be shock and awe. Things are going to change dramatically.” The latest sanctions package was originally expected to include a 100% tariff on buyers of Russian oil, the biggest consumers of which are India and China.
A bill backed by the Republicans also proposed 500% tariffs against Russia and its allies, which was then brought down to 100% by Mr Trump.
He then seemingly announced further changes to the penalties on his platform Truth Social, writing that India would get a 25% tariff.
He wrote: “Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country.
“Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!
“INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!”
This comes after the US president ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned “in appropriate regions” following “foolish and inflammatory statements” by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
He wrote on Truth Social: “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.”
Mr Trump did not say where the submarines were being deployed, nor did he specify whether he meant nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed.