Donald Trump has ordered an immediate 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, targeting China as the largest trading partner. Meanwhile, anti-government protests have entered their third week, and the White House has not ruled out the option of using military force.
On 13 Jan 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from any country that maintains trade relations with Iran, effective immediately, to increase pressure on the Iranian government amid ongoing anti-government protests entering their third week.
The U.S. leader posted on the Truth Social platform stating that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all business conducted with the United States. He described this order as final and decisive. However, he did not specify the exact scope of what constitutes doing business with Iran.
Analysts view China as potentially the most affected country by Trump's new tariff measures, as China is Iran's largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and India.
This measure follows Trump’s threat of military intervention if the Iranian government kills protesters. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated that the U.S. has not ruled out military options, including airstrikes.
The protests in Iran erupted in late December due to widespread dissatisfaction over the sharply declining rial currency, escalating into a legitimacy crisis for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S.-based human rights activist news organization HRANA confirmed over 500 protester deaths and 48 security personnel killed. BBC sources believe the actual numbers are much higher, with thousands more detained.
Source: BBC