Trump urges EU to impose tariffs up to 100% on India, China over Russian oil purchases
US President Donald Trump has asked the European Union (EU) to join the US in imposing tariffs up to 100 per cent on imports from India and China due to their continued purchase of Russian crude oil. On Sunday, he threatened additional sanctions on Russia and warned of penalties for countries continued.
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has asked the European Union (EU) to join the US in imposing tariffs up to 100 per cent on imports from India and China due to their continued purchase of Russian crude oil.
Trump reportedly made the request by dialing into the high-level meeting between senior US and EU officials in Washington on Tuesday. According to a NDTV report, the administration is prepared to "mirror" any EU tariffs on Beijing and New Delhi.
"The president came on this morning, and his view is that the obvious approach here is, let's all put on dramatic tariffs and keep the tariffs on until the Chinese agree to stop buying the oil. There really aren't many other places that oil can go," a US official told as quoted by The Financial Times. The US has already raised duties on Chinese goods to 30 per cent, while Indian exports face tariffs of 50 per cent. Trump's new proposal could push these rates far higher if coordinated with the EU.
Rising frustration over the Ukraine war
The push comes amid frustration in the US over the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump, who once claimed he could negotiate peace "within hours" of taking office, has stepped up rhetoric against Russia following the Kremlin's largest-ever aerial strike on Ukraine last weekend. On Sunday, he threatened additional sanctions on Russia and warned of penalties for countries continuing to buy its oil.
So far, India has faced secondary US sanctions over discounted Russian crude purchases. China, though heavily reliant on Russian oil has not yet been targeted by the US beyond broad trade tariffs.
India and China in spotlight
Trump's remarks follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Despite the tariff threats, Trump struck a softer note on US-India ties on Tuesday. He wrote on Truth Social that trade negotiations with India were continuing and that he expected a "successful conclusion." He also described PM Modi as a "very good friend."