Trump Administration Pushes G7 to Target Nations Importing Russian Crude

In a bold move to escalate economic pressure on Russia, the United States has called on its G7 allies to impose steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, aiming to cut off the financial lifeline fueling Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The call came during a virtual meeting of G7 Finance Ministers on Friday, chaired by Canada’s François-Philippe Champagne, as the bloc discussed strategies to force Russia to end its aggression.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, echoing President Donald Trump’s directive, urged G7 nations—comprising the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK—to join Washington in targeting nations buying Russian oil. “Only with a unified effort that cuts off the revenues funding Putin’s war machine at the source will we be able to apply sufficient economic pressure to end the senseless killing,” Bessent and Greer stated, as per a U.S. Treasury Department release.

While the U.S. statement avoided naming specific countries, India and China have frequently been criticized by Washington for their significant purchases of discounted Russian crude. The U.S. has already imposed a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% punitive duty tied to India’s oil imports from Russia, a move New Delhi has called “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” This has strained U.S.-India trade relations, derailing a planned sixth round of bilateral trade talks aimed at concluding the first phase of a trade agreement by fall 2025.

Also Read: 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia’s Kamchatka Coast

India has defended its energy procurement, emphasizing that decisions are driven by national interest and market dynamics. Meanwhile, the U.S. has refrained from imposing similar tariffs on China, citing a delicate trade truce with Beijing. Bessent is set to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, in Madrid to discuss trade and other issues, highlighting the complex balancing act in U.S. foreign policy.

The G7 meeting, prompted by Russia’s recent aggressive actions, including bombings in Ukraine and a violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, also focused on accelerating the use of immobilized Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine’s defense. The ministers agreed to explore additional financial mechanisms to support Ukraine’s long-term security and recovery, with Canada reaffirming its commitment as the current G7 presidency holder.

Bessent and Greer welcomed G7 commitments to intensify sanctions and leverage frozen Russian assets, signaling a unified push to weaken Moscow economically. However, the proposal for tariffs faces challenges, as EU nations, wary of economic fallout, are pursuing alternative measures like tightening sanctions on Russian energy firms and advancing deadlines to phase out Russian oil and gas imports.

President Trump, in a recent Fox News interview, defended the tariffs on India, noting, “India was their biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s a big deal, and it causes a rift with India.” He expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire, hinting at stronger actions if European allies join the U.S. effort.

The push for tariffs has sparked debate about its effectiveness and diplomatic consequences. Critics argue that targeting major trading partners like India and China could disrupt global trade and strain alliances, while supporters see it as a necessary step to cripple Russia’s war funding. As G7 nations weigh their options, the U.S. is intensifying its call for collective action, with the outcome likely to shape the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global economic relations.

Also Read: India’s Armed Forces Participate in Russia’s Zapad 2025 Exercise