Trade and Tariffs as a Weapon: Is Trump Blackmailing the World? | To The Point

July 17, 2025 | Ninety trade deals in ninety days — that was Trump’s promise to his voters. But so far, the results have been underwhelming, and his negotiating partners are proving stubborn. So now, Trump is reaching for his favourite tool: tariffs — his magic wand for just about everything. Trump’s latest threat to end the war in Ukraine - 100% tariffs on Russia and its energy partners. His main target: China, but also India, both of whom buy cheap energy from Moscow. Even allies in Europe aren’t spared. Countries across the globe are receiving tariff letters from Trump — with rates as high as 30% or even more. So, today on “To The Point”, we ask: By using Trade and tariffs as a weapon, is Trump blackmailing the world?

Our guests:
John Kampfner (Journalist und Autor);
Ursula Weidenfeld (Business editor);
Moritz Koch (Handelsblatt);
Erik Kirschbaum (LA Times)