Trump Presses NATO and EU to Hit China and India With Heavy Tariffs to Pressure Putin on Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has urged NATO and European Union members to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on Chinese and Indian goods in a bid to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
The request—revealed after last Tuesday’s meeting between US and EU officials—comes as Trump seeks to accelerate peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. It follows earlier remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Washington is preparing tighter economic restrictions on Russia but needs firmer European cooperation.
In a Truth Social post on September 13, Trump pledged “major sanctions on Russia” once NATO agrees to mirror US measures. He argued that targeting China’s exports would undercut Beijing’s financial support for Moscow. China and India have been critical buyers of Russian oil—109 million tonnes and 88 million tonnes respectively last year—helping sustain Russia’s economy despite Western sanctions.
Trump has already raised tariffs on Indian crude imports by 25 percent but has avoided similar moves on China while maintaining a fragile trade truce. Instead, he has pressed NATO to levy 50–100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods to weaken Beijing’s leverage.
The appeal comes as NATO–Russia tensions spike: over a dozen Russian drones violated Polish airspace last week, and another breached Romanian skies. France and Germany are shifting assets east to reinforce NATO’s flank.
Europe’s reliance on Russian energy has plummeted since 2022—from 45 percent of gas imports to an expected 13 percent this year—but EU supply chains remain heavily tied to Chinese manufacturing. Bilateral EU–China trade totaled €732 billion ($860 billion) in 2024, compared with €120 billion ($141 billion) with India. Sudden tariffs of 50–100 percent would likely disrupt production and drive up consumer prices, making EU leaders cautious.
G7 finance ministers, including those from France, Germany, and Italy, recently discussed fresh sanctions on Russia and potential measures against nations “enabling” its war effort. Meanwhile, NATO member Türkiye remains the third-largest buyer of Russian oil products after China and India.
Beijing quickly rejected Trump’s call, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi stating that “war cannot solve problems and sanctions only complicate them.” US and Chinese officials—including Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng—are set to meet in Madrid Monday to ease tensions.
Trump has also said he will soon speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling India a “close friend and natural partner,” and both leaders expressed optimism about resolving trade disputes.
The legality of Trump’s tariff powers remains under review: a US trade court ruled in May that prior tariffs exceeded presidential authority, a decision upheld on appeal in August. The Supreme Court will hear the case in November, potentially reshaping the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs.
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