U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to introduce tariffs of up to 100% on imports from China and India. This move aims to increase pressure on Russia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine by targeting two of Moscow’s largest oil buyers, curbing their purchases of Russian crude.
Trump made the request during a meeting with senior U.S. and EU officials in Washington. The U.S. indicated it would “mirror” any such tariffs imposed by Europe. Washington already levies tariffs up to 50% on Indian imports, penalising New Delhi for its continued trade in Russian oil—a stance India criticised as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
Meanwhile, EU trade with Russia remains significant, valued at €67.5 billion in 2024.
China, Russia’s biggest oil customer, has been spared these so-called “secondary” tariffs after negotiating a reduction of U.S. levies to 30%. Despite diplomatic efforts, including Trump’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, progress toward ending the conflict in Ukraine remains limited.
Putin has instead strengthened ties with China and India, as seen during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Beijing.
Trump recently expressed optimism about resumed U.S.-India trade talks, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “very good friend” and confident of a successful conclusion. Conversely, U.S.-China negotiations are struggling, with limited progress from a recent visit by China’s top trade negotiator.
This tariff proposal shows growing frustration within Washington over stalled peace talks and Russia’s continued military aggression, indicating a strategy to weaken Moscow’s economy by targeting major oil purchasers through coordinated international trade action.