Despite bold rhetoric, President Trump is unlikely to follow through on secondary tariffs targeting Russian trade partners. Speaking in the UK, Trump extended his tariff deadline again, repeating a familiar pattern of threats with little enforcement. Russian markets rose following his speech, reflecting global skepticism. Experts say enforcing tariffs on nations like China or India could backfire, straining diplomatic ties and fueling inflation at home. As Putin vows to continue the Ukraine war, Trump’s tactics seem more bark than bite—aimed at leverage, not real economic penalties.
