US Tariff Threat to Russia: Relief More Than Rattled Reaction

US Tariff Threat to Russia: More Relief Than Fear

Despite President Donald Trump's strong rhetoric, including the announcement of new US arms shipments to Ukraine and the threat of new tariffs aimed at Russia, the reaction in Moscow was not what many expected.

Moscow's Reaction: A Surprising Uptick

Instead of a market downturn, the Russian stock exchange actually rose by 2.7%. This unexpected response suggests that Russia was bracing for even tougher sanctions from the US.

The Breathing Room

Russia will likely be relieved that the secondary tariffs against its trading partners will only take effect in 50 days. This provides Moscow with ample time to develop counter proposals and potentially delay the implementation of sanctions further.

A Shift in Approach

President Trump's announcement signals a firmer approach towards Russia, reflecting his growing frustration with President Vladimir Putin's hesitance to sign a peace deal regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia's Stance: A Persistent "Yes, but..."

For months, Moscow's response to peace proposals has been a consistent "Yes, but…", demanding conditions such as the cessation of Western military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, as well as the end of Ukrainian military mobilization, before any comprehensive ceasefire can be considered.

Mutual Disillusionment

President Trump claims he is "not happy" with Vladimir Putin, indicating a growing sense of disillusionment. This sentiment appears to be mutual, as Russia, too, has been expressing increasing dissatisfaction with the US president.