Trump Urges EU to Impose 100% Tariffs on India, China
US pushes EU for massive tariffs to choke Russia's oil funds.
US President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to impose steep 100% tariffs on imports from India and China, two of Russia’s largest oil buyers, as a bold strategy to pressure Moscow into ending its war in Ukraine. According to a Financial Times report, Trump made this striking request during a Tuesday meeting in Washington, where senior US and EU officials discussed ways to cut off Russia’s war funding. “We’re ready to go right now, but we need our European partners to step up,” a US official stated.
Trump’s proposal hinges on targeting the oil purchases that fuel Russia’s economy. “The obvious approach is dramatic tariffs until China stops buying Russian oil,” another official explained, noting that alternative markets for Russian oil are limited. The US is prepared to match any EU tariffs on India and China, potentially escalating trade tensions significantly. Currently, the US imposes 50% tariffs on Indian goods and 30% on Chinese exports, but Trump’s new push could double these rates.
The move reflects growing White House frustration over stalled peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a conflict Trump once claimed he could resolve quickly. On Sunday, he threatened additional sanctions on Russia following its largest aerial assault on Ukraine. While Trump has targeted India with secondary sanctions for its Russian oil purchases, China has so far avoided similar measures despite being a major buyer.
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Adding complexity, Trump’s aggressive stance contrasts with his recent comments on improving trade ties with India. In a Truth Social post, he expressed optimism about negotiations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “very good friend” and predicting a “successful conclusion” for US-India trade. This followed Modi’s recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit, highlighting the delicate balance of global alliances.
Trump’s tariff proposal, if enacted, could reshape international trade dynamics and intensify economic pressure on Russia, but it risks straining relations with key Asian economies. The EU, which has relied on sanctions rather than tariffs to isolate Russia, faces a critical decision on whether to align with Trump’s high-stakes plan.
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