Trump Threatens 50% Tariffs on Countries Supplying Iran with Weapons

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose 50% tariffs on any country supplying weapons to Iran, though it remains unclear whether he has the legal authority to do so, as reported by Megan Messerly for Politico.

While Trump has previously used tariffs to pressure other nations, a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court curtailed his use of a 1977 emergency law often invoked to justify such measures. (Photo: Shahram Sharifi,, Wikimedia Commons)

“A country supplying military weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed on any and all goods sold to the United States, at 50%, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

While Trump has previously used tariffs to pressure other nations, a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court curtailed his use of a 1977 emergency law often invoked to justify such measures.

The remaining tools at his disposal are narrower and require more extensive legal justification and investigation. One option could be Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows tariffs of up to 50%.

However, that statute is intended to counter discriminatory trade practices against U.S. goods — making its application to arms transfers legally questionable.

Another potential avenue involves ongoing investigations into unfair trade practices by multiple countries.

Trump could also revisit prior findings on China, which has been accused of supplying Iran with dual-use items such as drones and spare parts that can be weaponized.