US President Donald Trump has urged the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on India and China as part of a collective effort to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine. This move targets two major importers of Russian crude oil and is paired with the US’s existing tariffs, 50 percent on Indian goods and 30 percent on Chinese goods.
Trump announced readiness for coordinated action, stating Washington would mirror any EU tariffs. The proposal was presented at a US-EU meeting in Washington and signals escalating economic measures to push Moscow toward a ceasefire.
Trump Calls for United EU-US Tariffs on India and China
During a high-stakes meeting in Washington, President Trump joined senior EU officials remotely to propose dramatic increases in tariffs on Indian and Chinese imports, explicitly linking these measures to the broader campaign against Russia’s revenue from oil sales.
Trump and his team emphasised that any action would require unity with European partners, with a US official stating, “We’re ready to go, ready to go right now, but we’re only going to do this if our European partners step up with us”. The US, having already increased tariffs on imports from India and China, wants to use economic might to restrict Russia’s access to funding its war effort.
Growing Frustration and Contradictory Signals
Trump’s proposal reflects mounting frustration within the White House over the stalemate in the Ukraine conflict and the difficulty of brokering a truce despite repeated promises to resolve it quickly. The US leader recently threatened additional sanctions after another aerial attack from the Kremlin on Ukraine, warning that nations buying Russian oil could face further penalties.
Though Trump’s government has imposed secondary sanctions on India for its purchases of Russian oil, China remains relatively unscathed in this specific context. Notably, Trump’s demand for strict tariffs came after a meeting between Prime Minister Modi, President Xi Jinping, and President Putin, highlighting the complexity of global alliances and trade relationships.
Official Statements Reveal Mixed Messages
Despite the aggressive tariff stance, Trump made conciliatory remarks about US-India relations just hours later, stating on Truth Social, “India and the United States of America are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations… I am certain there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!”.
This apparent contradiction reveals internal deliberation, and possibly tension, over balancing punitive trade tactics with ongoing diplomatic dialogue. US officials have clarified that tariffs would remain in place until China agrees to stop purchasing Russian oil, underscoring Washington’s single-minded approach even as the economic fallout and market reactions remain of concern.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to President Trump’s remarks on X, affirming, “India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. “
“Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people,” PM continued. Modi’s message followed Trump’s statement expressing eagerness to speak with his “very good friend” Modi and optimism about a successful conclusion to bilateral trade talks.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian stands for peace, dialogue, and constructive international relations. While sanctions and tariffs may be necessary for upholding global security and ethical trade practices, indiscriminate economic aggression risks exacerbating hardship for citizens and may not always achieve intended results.
