Tariff threats tie into military blockade
President Trump threatened 50% tariffs on China and announced a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, linking trade penalties with military measures in the same policy package. Media outlets report that the administration warned Iranian ships approaching the blockade could be destroyed, adding a military dimension to tariff rhetoric. ( )
President Donald Trump on April 13 threatened China with 50% tariffs and put a United States naval blockade on Iranian ports into effect the same day. (cnbc.com) Trump said the tariff threat was tied to reports that China was preparing to send air defense systems to Iran, though CNBC said the reported shipment was unverified. He separately said the blockade would start at 10 a.m. Eastern time on April 13. (cnbc.com, cbsnews.com) United States Central Command said the blockade would apply to vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The command said ships bound for non-Iranian ports would still be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. (reuters.com, apnews.com) Trump also said any Iranian “fast-attack” boats that came near the blockade would be “eliminated,” adding a direct military threat to the trade warning. Reuters reported that Iranian Defense Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik said foreign policing of the strait would deepen the crisis. (usnews.com) The two moves landed after weekend talks in Islamabad broke down and only a week remained on a two-week ceasefire reached after six weeks of United States and Israeli strikes on Iran. Pakistan said it was still trying to broker more talks. (reuters.com, apnews.com) The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow sea lane at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and Reuters said about one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes through it. Iran had already restricted traffic there during the war by allowing passage only under its control and for a fee, according to Reuters. (usnews.com, cnbc.com) That is why the blockade immediately hit energy markets. Reuters reported oil climbed back to $100 a barrel on April 13, while AP described the new standoff as a deepening crisis around Hormuz. (usnews.com, apnews.com) China pushed back on both parts of the package. Reuters reported that Beijing urged “calm and restraint,” said a Hormuz blockade would run against international interests, and rejected the allegation that it was sending weapons to Iran. (usnews.com, cnbc.com) European allies also kept their distance. Reuters reported that Britain and France said they would not take part in the blockade and instead emphasized reopening the waterway. (nymag.com) The immediate next test is whether Washington enforces the blockade against foreign-flagged ships without breaking the ceasefire or widening the war. For now, Trump has tied a tariff threat against China to a live military operation against Iran in the same confrontation. (politico.com, cnbc.com)
