Trump Says Nations Arming Iran Will Face Steep Tariffs

Countries that arm Iran could see the cost of doing business with the US double, if President Trump gets his way. In a Truth Social post Wednesday, the president vowed a 50% tariff on all imports from any nation that supplies military weapons to Tehran, saying it would take effect "immediately" and come with "no exclusions or exemptions," CNBC reports.

• It's not clear what legal authority the tariffs would be applied under. The administration reconstituted its tariff system using existing trade laws after the Supreme Court struck down most of its earlier "reciprocal" duties in February. Current measures already hit many metals products with tariffs of 25% to 50%, and a 100% levy on patented pharmaceuticals for larger drugmakers is set to begin in July.

• Trump didn't name the countries that could face tariffs, but China and Russia have supplied Iran with missiles, air-defense systems, and other technology, reports Reuters. Both countries, however, have denied supplying Iran in recent months and Trump might not choose to heighten trade tensions with China ahead of his planned trip to Beijing next month.
• In another Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump said: "Numerous Agreements, Lists, and Letters are being sent out by people that have absolutely nothing to do with the U.S.A. / Iran Negotiation, in many cases, they are total Fraudsters, Charlatans, and WORSE. They will be rapidly exposed after our Federal Investigation is completed."

• "There is only one group of meaningful 'POINTS' that are acceptable to the United States, and we will be discussing them behind closed doors during these Negotiations," Trump said.
• The warning followed a post soon after the ceasefire deal was announced Tuesday. Trump blasted CNN for reporting that "Iran says it has achieved a great victory and forced the United States to accept its 10-point plan, according to a statement from Iran's Supreme National Security Council." Trump said it was a "false statement" linked to "a Fake News site," writing: "Authorities are looking to determine whether or not a crime was committed on the issuance of the Fake CNN World Statement, or was it a sick rogue player?"
• Trump ordered CNN to withdraw the statement and apologize, the Independent reports. CNN defended its reporting, saying, "The statement in question was obtained by CNN from Iranian officials and reported on multiple Iranian state media outlets. We received the statement from specific official Iranian spokespeople who are known to us."