US President Donald Trump is contemplating imposing tariffs on China due to its continued purchases of Russian oil, but no final decision has been made, Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Fox News Sunday, August 10, 2025. Speaking to host Maria Bartiromo, Vance highlighted the complexity of US-China relations, noting that ties with Beijing "affect many things that have nothing to do with the Russian situation." He emphasized that Trump is "reviewing his options" and will decide in due course.

The potential tariffs follow Trump’s recent imposition of a 25% additional duty on Indian imports, effective August 27, 2025, raising the total tariff on India to 50%—one of the highest globally. This move, enacted via an executive order citing emergency powers, targets India’s significant Russian oil imports, which surged to 35.1% of its total oil supply in FY25, making Russia India’s largest supplier. India has condemned the tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," vowing to protect its national interests.

China, the world’s largest buyer of Russian oil, imported a record 108.5 million tonnes in 2024, with July 2025 alone hitting $10 billion. Beijing has defended its energy trade as "lawful" and rejected US pressure, warning that "tariff wars have no winners." Despite Trump’s campaign pledge to end the Ukraine war swiftly, his tariff strategy aims to pressure nations like China and India to curb Russian oil purchases, which fund Moscow’s conflict. However, advisors like Peter Navarro have cautioned that such tariffs could harm the US economy.

Also Read: Congress Questions PM Modi’s Farmer Champion Claim Amid Trump Tariff

As Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict, the threat of tariffs remains a contentious tool in his foreign policy arsenal, with global economic implications hanging in the balance.

Also Read: Trump’s Tariffs Ignite Global Trade War, Threaten US Economic Stability