United States President, Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order imposing tariffs on any country that conducts business with Iran, citing the need to protect US “national security, foreign policy, and economy.”
The order, which Trump had first signaled he would introduce on January 13, specifies that additional tariffs will be applied on top of existing US import taxes.
These measures target key goods imported from “any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran.”
According to the executive order, the extra tariffs will be calculated in proportion to the value of the imported goods and could reach as high as 25%.
A fact sheet released alongside the order, titled “President Donald J. Trump Addresses Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran,” said the measure is intended to hold Iran “accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization that endanger American security, allies, and interests.”
The White House also pointed to what it described as “mismanagement of Iran’s resources,” arguing that the Iranian leadership has focused on weapons development rather than addressing public needs and deteriorating infrastructure.
“The regime brutally represses its own people, killing thousands of protesters, denying human rights, and using violence to maintain power, while spreading extremism and undermining US efforts for peace and stability,” the fact sheet asserted.
The White House statement noted that Trump retains the authority to alter the order “if circumstances change” or “in response to retaliation.”
It further said that tariffs could be adjusted if “Iran or an affected country takes significant steps to… align with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters.”
The executive order also empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick, and the US trade representative to “to take all necessary actions, including issuing rules and guidance, to implement the tariff system and related measures.”
