Can the EU and NATO impose tariffs on India and China, as Trump wants?

"US President Donald Trump has called on NATO and EU member states to hit China and India with tariffs of up to 100 percent to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump, who previously pledged to end the conflict on day one of becoming president, made his demand during a meeting between United States and European Union officials last Tuesday. The move is seen as a way to try to expedite a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv."

"Trump's request to Brussels, first reported by the Financial Times newspaper, follows remarks from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said that Washington was preparing tighter economic restrictions on Russia but needed stronger European backing. In a letter posted on his Truth Social account on September 13, Trump said he was ready to do major sanctions on Russia once NATO had agreed to do the same thing. He also claimed that elevated tariffs on China would weaken Beijing's control over Russia."

"As the largest buyer of Russian energy, China imported 109 million tonnes of crude oil last year, representing nearly 20 percent of its total energy imports, according to Chinese customs data. India, by contrast, imported 88 million tonnes of Russian oil in 2024, or 15 percent of its imports. And while Trump recently slapped an extra 25 percent tariff on India for importing Russian crude, he has so far refrained from imposing similar tariffs on China."

Donald Trump urged NATO and EU members to impose tariffs up to 100% on China and India to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The proposal aims to cut Russian energy revenue and accelerate a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. US Treasury officials said Washington plans tighter economic restrictions on Russia but needs stronger European backing. Trump said he would impose major sanctions once NATO agreed and argued that elevated tariffs on China would weaken Beijing's influence over Russia. China imported 109 million tonnes of crude last year (nearly 20% of its energy imports); India imported 88 million tonnes in 2024 (15%). Trump has added a 25% tariff on Indian Russian crude but has refrained from similar tariffs on China amid a trade truce.

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