WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is urging the European union to impose a 100% tariff on goods from China and India as a means of increasing economic pressure on Russia amid intensified attacks in Ukraine. The proposal comes as Trump attempts to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv, and following a weekend marked by Russia’s heaviest aerial bombardment of Ukraine since the war began - utilizing at least 810 drones and 13 missiles, according to Ukrainian officials.Trump reportedly threatened harsher sanctions against the Kremlin after the weekend attacks, which included a strike on Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv and a Tuesday attack in the Donbas region that killed over 20 civilians waiting to collect pensions. He has previously issued similar threats without subsequent action.
Trump’s call for EU tariffs follows remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated Washington is prepared to escalate economic pressure but requires stronger support from Europe. China and India are significant purchasers of Russian oil, providing crucial economic support to Russia.
Last month, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on goods from India, including a 25% penalty related to its transactions with Russia. While the EU has stated its intention to end reliance on Russian energy, approximately 19% of its natural gas imports still originate from russia. Imposing tariffs on China and India would represent a shift from the EU’s current strategy of isolating russia through sanctions rather than trade levies.
Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week or early next week, and also intends to discuss trade barriers with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks, anticipating a “prosperous conclusion” to their negotiations. Modi responded optimistically, stating the two countries are “close friends and natural partners” and that their teams are working towards a swift resolution. A previous summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska last month failed to yield a peace agreement.
