Trump Urges EU to Impose 100% Tariffs on China and India to Pressure Putin
Trump orders UN to impose 100% tariffs to China and India. (NDTV World)
by Mathipa Phishego
In a bold move to escalate economic pressure on Russia, President Donald Trump has urged the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from China and India. The proposal aims to sever key economic ties between these nations and Russia, thereby compelling President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
President Trump made the request during a high-level meeting with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan and other European officials in Washington. He argued that China and India, as significant buyers of Russian oil, play a crucial role in sustaining Russia’s economy. By targeting these countries with substantial tariffs, Trump believes the EU can exert additional pressure on Putin to negotiate a peace agreement.
The U.S. has already implemented a 25% tariff on Indian goods due to its continued purchase of discounted Russian oil. However, China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, has not yet been subjected to new tariffs, as the Trump administration seeks to negotiate a long-term trade deal with Beijing.
The European Union has shown mixed compliance with sanctions on Russian energy imports. While some countries have adhered to the sanctions, others, particularly landlocked nations like Hungary and Slovakia, continue to purchase Russian oil. Additionally, Turkey has maintained its energy trade with Russia, complicating efforts to isolate Moscow economically.
European leaders are cautious about implementing sweeping tariffs on China and India due to their significant economic ties with the EU. The potential for retaliatory measures and disruptions to global supply chains are major concerns.
President Trump has also called on all NATO countries to cease purchasing Russian oil, emphasizing that continued energy imports undermine the alliance’s efforts to pressure Russia. He criticized NATO members such as Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia for their ongoing energy trade with Russia, suggesting that their actions weaken the alliance’s stance against Moscow.
Despite these calls for increased pressure on Russia, Trump has refrained from directly criticizing President Putin, instead placing blame on President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the prolonged conflict.
China has expressed strong opposition to the proposed tariffs, asserting its neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rejecting economic coercion. Indian officials have indicated that while they are open to dialogue, they will not yield to external pressure on their energy policies.
The European Union is expected to discuss the proposal in upcoming meetings, weighing the potential economic repercussions and geopolitical implications of such drastic measures.
