Trump Presses EU to Target China, India With up to 100 Percent Tariffs Over Russia Ties
Udumbara
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China and India have helped keep Russia’s economy afloat since its expanded invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, ramping up purchases of Russian oil even as most countries reduced or cut off imports.
According to Reuters, Trump made the request on Tuesday during a conference call with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan and other EU officials. The delegation is in Washington this week for talks on sanctions coordination.
An EU diplomat told Reuters that Washington signaled it would be willing to impose its own tariffs in tandem with Europe.
If adopted, the move would mark a shift in the EU’s approach, which has so far focused on isolating Russia with sanctions rather than tariffs.
China responded on Wednesday, with its foreign ministry saying it opposed the “so-called economic pressure” and rejected the use of China in discussions on Russia.
U.S. average duties on Chinese imports now stand at about 50 percent, including a 20 percent fentanyl tariff, a 25 percent levy under Section 301 on many goods, and recent hikes to 50 percent on steel, aluminum, and other products under Section 232.
For India, Trump raised tariffs by 25 percentage points this summer and doubled them to 50 percent on Aug. 27, covering a wide range of products including apparel, precious stones, jewelry, footwear, sports gear, furniture, and chemicals, linking the tariff hikes to its economic ties with the Kremlin.
He has criticized Europe for failing to fully break with Russian energy, noting that the EU still received about 19 percent of its gas imports from Russia last year, despite pledges to end the reliance.
Expanded Oil Trade With Russia
Washington has accused India of profiteering from Russian crude, which is often sold at steep discounts of 25 to 50 percent below global prices. Indian refiners use the cheap oil for both domestic consumption and exports, reaping large profits. U.S. officials estimate the practice has generated billions of dollars in excess gains for India.Indian officials say the imports are needed for energy security and accuse the West of hypocrisy, pointing out that the United States and Europe continue to buy billions of dollars’ worth of Russian goods, referring to oil and enriched uranium.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, relies on imports for about 90 percent of its needs.
China has expanded its Russian oil imports as well. By 2025, China had become Russia’s largest fossil fuel buyer, accounting for about 40 percent of Moscow’s export revenues.
