Trump signs order threatening tariffs on countries doing business with Iran

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order reaffirming the national emergency with respect to Iran and establishing a mechanism to impose additional tariffs on countries that continue to do business with Tehran the White House saidUnder the order beginning on its effective date the United States may impose an additional ad valorem dutyfor example up to 25 per cent on goods imported into the US from any country that directly or indirectly purchases imports or otherwise acquires goods or services from Iran The move is aimed at protecting US national security foreign policy and economic interestsThe White House said the order establishes a system that allows Washington to levy tariffs on imports from countries maintaining economic ties with Iran while giving the president authority to modify the measures if circumstances change in response to retaliation or if Iran or an affected country takes significant steps to align with the United States on national security foreign policy and economic mattersThe executive order authorises the Secretary of State the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to take all necessary actions including issuing rules and guidance to implement the tariff system and related measuresAccording to the White House the action is part of a broader effort to counter what it described as Irans malign influence including Tehrans pursuit of nuclear capabilities support for terrorism ballistic missile development and regional destabilisation The administration accused Iran of backing proxy militant groups across the Middle East repressing its own population and diverting resources toward nuclear and missile programmes instead of domestic needsThe White House said these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States its allies and interests requiring a sustained and intensified responseThe order builds on President Trumps longstanding hardline approach toward Iran During his first term Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal reinstated maximum pressure sanctions and designated Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation After returning to the office Trump restored maximum pressure policies to deny Iran any path to a nuclear weaponThe White House also pointed to recent US military and diplomatic actions including operations targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure and the deployment of additional US forces to the region aimed at pressuring Tehran to negotiate a deal that would permanently block its nuclear ambitionsSeparately the US government issued a security alert for Iran warning of heightened security measures internet disruptions flight cancellations and nationwide restrictions on communications The advisory urged US citizens to leave Iran immediately if it is safe to do so avoid demonstrations maintain a low profile and prepare for prolonged disruptionsThe United States currently has no diplomatic or consular relations with Iran Switzerland through its embassy in Tehran serves as the protecting power for US interests in the country the advisory saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever