Trump wrote tonight (Beijing time, April 8 evening): "Any country providing military weapons to Iran will have all its goods sold to the United States immediately subject to a 50% tariff, effective immediately. No exceptions or exemptions!"
[Clever] Commentary: Trump's tariff threat may sound tough, but in reality it's a calculated move behind the facade of a two-week ceasefire—something everyone can see through. Behind this paper threat lies the urgent military mobilization of U.S. missiles. The U.S. military has already deployed two-thirds of its stealth cruise missiles to the Middle East; despite the severe shortage of Tomahawk missile stockpiles, forces are still being redeployed globally. These two weeks aren't a negotiating buffer—they're clearly a breathing space for Trump to replenish military supplies and rally allies. While publicly calling for a ceasefire, Trump aims to use tariffs to cut off external support channels for Iran. This maneuver may well be paving the way for a return to conflict in two weeks. The so-called peace negotiations could very well be a carefully disguised pretext for restarting hostilities. Beneath this ceasefire lies nothing but America’s hegemonic ambitions, sharpening its knives for war.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861904184265736/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.