- Donald Trump has called on the European Union to impose 100% tariffs on imports from China and India.
- The aim of the proposal is to reduce Russia’s revenues from oil sales to Beijing and New Delhi.
- China has strongly opposed linking policy toward Russia with trade, and divisions have emerged within the EU.
- At the same time, Trump is sending signals of openness to India, suggesting a willingness to talk with Prime Minister Modi.
Trump calls on European Union to impose 100 per cent tariffs on China and India
US President Donald Trump, during talks with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan and EU diplomats, called for 100 per cent tariffs on imports from China and India. The aim of this proposal is to increase pressure on Russia and reduce its revenue from oil sales, which Beijing and New Delhi continue to buy from Moscow. Trump was expected to declare that the US is ready to take similar action if the European Union takes a parallel step.
Opposition to this initiative has already been voiced by China, pointing out that linking trade issues with policy towards Russia is unjustified. In the EU, this approach is also controversial, as previous sanctions have focused on export restrictions and technological isolation rather than tariffs.
Possible consequences and international reactions
The Trump administration had already raised tariffs on Indian goods by 25 percentage points, arguing for India’s close relationship with Russia. However, full 100 per cent tariffs would be an unprecedented step and would significantly raise trade tensions.
At the same time, Trump himself has softened the message towards India, writing on social media that Washington and New Delhi are working to remove trade barriers and he wants to talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Such a two-pronged message, tariff pressure towards China and openness towards India, shows the complexity of US strategy in the context of the war in Ukraine and global energy flows.
