President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on any country that does business with the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to a statement shared by the White House.
“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This Order is final and conclusive.”
“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive….” – PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/UQ1ylPezs9
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 12, 2026
The White House declined to provide additional details on how the tariff would be implemented, referring inquiries to the president’s statement, according to reporting by CNN.
Scope and Enforcement Remain Unclear
Trump did not define what qualifies as “doing business” with Iran, leaving unresolved questions about which countries would be affected and whether the tariff would apply solely to goods or also to services.
CNN reported that the announcement could impact major U.S. trading partners with commercial ties to Iran, including China, India, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
China’s embassy in Washington said it “firmly opposes all illicit unilateral sanctions” and warned that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests.
Legal Authority and Timing
According to CNN, Trump has relied during his second term on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. That authority is currently being challenged in a separate case before the U.S. Supreme Court, with a ruling expected later this month.
The administration has not released a formal executive order or additional guidance outlining enforcement mechanisms for the new tariff.
Context: Escalating Unrest in Iran
The tariff announcement comes amid escalating unrest inside Iran. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, nationwide protests have entered their third week amid a government-imposed internet blackout, with human rights organizations warning of mass killings and reporting the use of live ammunition against demonstrators.
Iranian authorities have blamed foreign actors for the unrest and have not released official casualty figures. Independent verification has been limited due to the communications shutdown.
The White House has not directly linked the tariff decision to the protests, and no additional policy actions related to Iran were announced Monday.