Trump signs executive order to impose additional tariffs on any country trading with Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Washington, before signing a spending bill that will end a partial shutdown of the federal government. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on any country trading with Iran, the White House said, in yet another move to raise economic pressure on Tehran amid nuclear talks between the two countries.

According to the order, the Trump administration may impose additional tariffs on products of any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran. The order showed a tariff rate of 25 percent as an example.

The order is effective at 12:01 a.m., Feb. 7 (local time).

The commerce secretary is to determine whether a foreign country engages in such business dealings with Iran and inform the secretary of state of his finding.

The secretary of state, in consultation with relevant Cabinet members, will determine whether and to what extent an additional tariff should be imposed, and inform the president of his recommendation, according to the order.

On Jan. 12, Trump said in a social media post that any country doing business with Iran will "pay" a 25 percent tariff on any business being done with the United States, as Washington was carefully monitoring Tehran's bloody crackdown on anti-government protestors.