Former President Trump wants the European Union (EU) to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and encourages similar action against India.

China and India are key buyers of Russian oil, a crucial source of revenue for the Russian economy. The West has been trying for years to restrict Moscow's energy income to pressure them to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Container ships at Lianyungang Port in Jiangsu (China), 4/2024. Photo: AFP

Container ships at Lianyungang Port in Jiangsu (China), 4/2024. Photo: AFP

A group of European officials are in Washington to discuss coordinated sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, the US has signaled its willingness to impose similar import tariffs if the EU agrees to the request. "Basically, they're saying: 'We'll do this, but you have to do it too,'" a source told Reuters.

If the EU accepts the US proposal, it would represent a shift in the bloc's strategy. Until now, the EU has prioritized isolating Russia through sanctions rather than import tariffs.

Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. Last month, he doubled import tariffs on India to 50% for this reason, but he has not yet increased tariffs on China.

Trump recently complained that the EU has not fully separated from Russia, despite the bloc's pledge to end its dependence on Russian energy. Moscow still supplied 19% of the EU's gas imports last year.

However, on 9/9, Trump also suggested the US could increase trade with India. On social media, he wrote that the US and India are working to resolve trade barriers and said he looked forward to an upcoming exchange with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ha Thu (via Reuters)