Trump Urges NATO to Harden Stance on Russia & China, Threatens Sanctions Delay
Washington D.C. – Former US President Donald Trump has publicly challenged NATO allies to escalate economic pressure on Russia and adopt a more aggressive trade policy towards China, linking both to a swift resolution of the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a statement posted on social media, Trump demanded a unified front, threatening to withhold further US sanctions against Moscow until NATO members cease all purchases of Russian oil and commit to a coordinated sanctions regime.
“I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO nations stop buying oil from Russia,” Trump wrote. He asserted that a firm, collective stance would “end the war quickly, and all of those lives will be saved!” – adding a pointed warning that continued inaction would be a “waste of my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.”
(See Trump’s full statement embedded below)
This isn’t the first time Trump has publicly advocated for stronger sanctions. He has repeatedly alluded to further economic measures against Russia, particularly following recent large-scale aerial attacks by the Kremlin on ukrainian cities. however, these threats have yet to materialize, a fact that has reportedly caused frustration in Kyiv.
Trump characterized the continued reliance on Russian energy by some NATO members as “shocking,” arguing it undermines the alliance’s leverage over Moscow. He further proposed a controversial solution: the imposition of tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on Chinese goods.
“I believe that (NATO sanctions on Russia), plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% tariffs on China…will also be of grate help in ending this deadly, but ridiculous war,” Trump stated. he believes such tariffs would disrupt the growing strategic partnership between China and Russia, asserting that Beijing holds notable influence over Moscow. “china has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break that grip.”
The former president has already taken unilateral action, recently imposing a 25% tariff on certain Indian goods due to the country’s continued imports of Russian oil. However, a similar approach towards China has not been implemented.
The proposal for collective tariffs on China is highly likely to be met with resistance from within NATO, given the complex economic ties many member states have with Beijing. The move also raises questions about the potential for retaliatory measures from China, and the broader impact on the global economy.
Trump concluded his statement with a direct challenge to NATO: ”Anyway, I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. just say when?”
Keywords: Donald Trump, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, Sanctions, China, Tariffs, Vladimir Putin, Oil, Economic Pressure, International Relations, Geopolitics.
