In a significant move, US President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to impose hefty tariffs of up to 100% on imports from China and India. This demand is part of Trump's broader strategy to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities in Ukraine. A source familiar with the discussions disclosed this information to the BBC, and the demand was first reported by the Financial Times during a recent meeting between US and EU officials.
Trump's proposal comes at a time when he is attempting to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. The urgency of this request is underscored by the escalating violence in Ukraine, particularly after a Russian missile struck a key government building in Kyiv over the weekend. This attack represents a significant escalation in aggression from the Kremlin, coinciding with what Ukraine described as the heaviest aerial bombardment since the beginning of the war.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian military actions involved the use of at least 810 drones and 13 missiles. Tragically, on Tuesday, a Russian glide bomb killed over 20 civilians in the Donbas region while they were waiting to collect their pensions. Following these attacks, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation and hinted at the possibility of implementing harsher sanctions against Russia.
Despite previous threats of stringent measures against Russia, Trump has yet to take decisive action, even as Putin has disregarded his deadlines. A recent summit in Alaska between the leaders failed to produce a peace agreement, raising questions about the effectiveness of Trump's diplomatic strategy. The president indicated plans to speak with Putin later this week or early next week, signaling ongoing engagement in efforts to resolve the conflict.
Trump's call for tariffs aligns with comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who highlighted the need for stronger European support in escalating economic pressure on Russia. This collaboration is crucial as both China and India remain significant purchasers of Russian oil, which is vital for sustaining the Russian economy.
In addition to his call for EU tariffs, Trump addressed ongoing negotiations between the US and India to tackle existing trade barriers. He expressed optimism about the discussions in a post on his Truth Social platform and mentioned that he looks forward to speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks. Modi reciprocated Trump's optimism, emphasizing the strong friendship and partnership between the two nations.
These developments have been interpreted as a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Delhi, especially after previous setbacks in their trade negotiations. Trump reassured that there is "nothing to worry about," indicating that the two countries are merely experiencing temporary challenges.
While the EU has announced intentions to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, it still imports approximately 19% of its natural gas from Russia. If the EU proceeds with Trump's proposed tariffs on China and India, it would represent a significant shift in strategy, moving away from isolation through sanctions to a more trade-focused approach. This change could have far-reaching implications for international relations and global economic dynamics.
