Donald Trump is urging the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
A source familiar with discussions between US and EU officials on Tuesday informed the BBC that Trump made this request while looking for ways to increase economic pressure on Russia.
Trump, who promised to resolve the conflict on “day one” if elected, has had difficulty brokering a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine have increased.
The former US president also stated that he plans to speak with Putin later this week or early next week.
China and India continue to be significant buyers of Russian oil, helping to sustain Moscow’s economy and war efforts. Last month, the US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty linked to transactions with Russia.
While the EU has pledged to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, nearly 19% of its natural gas still comes from Russia. If Brussels adopts Trump’s proposal, it would mark a significant change from using sanctions to using tariffs to isolate Russia.
The Financial Times first reported Trump’s request. This follows comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Washington is prepared to increase economic pressure but requires stronger European support.
The war in Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down. Over the weekend, Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv in a symbolic escalation. These strikes were part of the heaviest aerial bombardment since the war began, with Ukraine reporting at least 810 drones and 13 missiles used across the country.
On Tuesday, a Russian glide bomb killed more than 20 civilians in eastern Donbas as they waited to collect pensions. Trump said he was “not happy with the whole situation” and threatened to impose harsher sanctions on the Kremlin. Despite previous promises, the US has yet to take further action against Russia, even as Putin ignores deadlines and warnings.
A highly anticipated summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska last month ended without a peace deal.
Regarding trade, Trump mentioned that negotiations with India are ongoing to address barriers between the two nations. He plans to talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks and anticipates a “successful conclusion” to the discussions. Modi expressed optimism, calling the US and India “close friends and natural partners,” and noted that talks are progressing quickly.
Trump’s remarks suggest a possible reconciliation with Delhi after previous trade negotiations fell apart. Last week, he emphasized the “special relationship” between India and the US, acknowledging some minor disagreements.
