New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has demanded that NATO and EU member states impose tariffs of as much as 100% on China and India. The purpose, he stated, is to strain Russian President Vladimir Putin to finish the battle in Ukraine.
Trump, who pledged to resolve the battle “on day one” of his presidency, raised the proposal throughout a gathering with European Union officers final Tuesday. The measure is seen as a option to speed up negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
The Monetary Instances first reported Trump’s request. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had stated Washington was making ready tighter financial restrictions on Russia however sought stronger European help.
Trump posted a letter on Reality Social on September 13. He wrote that he was “able to do main sanctions on Russia” as soon as NATO had “agreed … to do the identical factor”. He added that steep tariffs on China would weaken Beijing’s “management” over Russia.
Why Trump Desires Tariffs On China, India
China and India proceed to import Russian oil, holding the Russian financial system afloat.
China purchased 109 million tonnes of Russian crude final yr. That represents roughly 20 p.c of its whole vitality imports, in accordance with Chinese language customs information.
India imported 88 million tonnes of Russian oil in 2024, roughly 35 p.c of its imports.
Trump beforehand imposed a 25 p.c tariff on India for purchasing Russian crude. He has not finished the identical for China because of a fragile commerce truce.
On Saturday, Trump urged NATO to impose 50-100% tariffs on China. He stated halting Russian vitality purchases, mixed with heavy tariffs, could be of “nice assist” in ending the battle.
Europe’s dependence on Russian vitality has fallen. EU imports of Russian pure gasoline had been 45 p.c earlier than the battle. They’re anticipated to fall to 13 p.c in 2025. Trump insists Europe should do extra.
Rising NATO-Russia Tensions
Russian drones just lately crossed NATO borders. Over a dozen entered Polish airspace final Wednesday. One drone entered Romanian airspace on Saturday. Poland referred to as the incursion deliberate. Moscow stated it had “no plans to focus on” Poland. Romania scrambled jets and denounced “irresponsible actions”.
France and Germany have joined a NATO mission to strengthen the japanese flank. Navy belongings are transferring eastward.
In a Fox Information interview, Trump stated his persistence with Putin is working out. He criticised Russia’s escalating assaults on Ukraine, together with its largest air raid earlier this month.
He stated further sanctions on Russian banks and vitality merchandise are into consideration. “We’re going to have to return down very, very sturdy,” he stated.
Trump’s name for allied tariffs comes whereas his authority beneath the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act (IEEPA) is challenged. A US commerce court docket dominated in Could that his tariffs “exceed any authority granted to the president”. An appeals court docket upheld the choice in August. The case goes to the Supreme Court docket in November.
Can EU Impose Tariffs On China, India?
EU-China commerce reached roughly 732 billion euros ($860 billion) in 2024. The EU ran a items commerce deficit of 305.8 billion euros ($359 billion) with China. Beijing stays the EU’s largest import accomplice after america.
US-EU commerce totaled 1.68 trillion euros ($1.98 trillion) in 2024. The EU had a items surplus of 198 billion euros ($233 billion).
It imports from China embrace 40 p.c shopper electronics, heavy manufacturing gear and clothes. It imports from India are smaller.
In 2024, the EU ran a items commerce deficit of twenty-two.5 billion euros ($26 billion) with India.
Sudden tariffs of 50-100% might disrupt provide chains, increase manufacturing prices and enhance shopper costs within the EU. That makes unilateral measures unlikely.
Some EU states help focused actions in opposition to China. G7 finance ministers on September 12 mentioned further sanctions on Russia and potential tariffs on nations “enabling” the battle.
Turkey, a NATO member, is the third-largest purchaser of Russian oil, after China and India. Hungary and Slovakia additionally buy Russian oil.
What’s Subsequent?
China reacted inside hours of Trump’s announcement. Overseas Minister Wang Yi stated China doesn’t take part in wars. “Conflict can not clear up issues and sanctions solely complicate them,” he stated.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent will meet China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng in Madrid on Monday. The purpose is to de-escalate commerce tensions between the 2 largest economies.
Trump plans to talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the coming weeks. He expects a “profitable conclusion” to commerce talks. Modi echoed optimism, calling the US “shut associates and pure companions”.
“Our groups are working to conclude these discussions on the earliest. I’m additionally trying ahead to talking with President Trump,” PM Modi stated.