Former US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine by imposing steep tariffs on China and India has ignited a firestorm of debate. His suggestion, made during a meeting with EU officials and further elaborated on social media, calls for NATO and the EU to levy tariffs as high as 100 percent on these key Russian trading partners. Trump's rationale centers on the belief that significantly weakening the economic support China and India provide to Russia would force Vladimir Putin's hand.
China, the world's largest importer of Russian crude oil, absorbed 109 million tonnes in 2024, accounting for roughly 20 percent of its total energy imports. India, while importing a smaller volume (88 million tonnes, or 35 percent of its imports), remains a significant buyer. Trump's previous imposition of a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports of Russian crude highlights his willingness to take unilateral action, but his call for concerted action from NATO and the EU represents a new level of international pressure.
The proposal, however, faces significant hurdles. Economically, the EU's considerable trade deficit with China (around €305.8 billion in 2024) makes implementing such high tariffs a risky proposition. Disrupting established supply chains and raising consumer prices could have severe economic consequences for European nations. While the EU's reliance on Russian energy has decreased since the invasion of Ukraine, a sudden and drastic tariff imposition on China could significantly damage European economies.
Furthermore, Trump's push comes at a time when his own legal authority to impose tariffs is being challenged in US courts. A decision on the legality of his previous tariffs is pending, adding another layer of complexity to his latest proposal. The G7's recent discussion of sanctions on Russia and potential tariffs on nations deemed to be enabling the conflict underscores a degree of international agreement on the need for additional pressure, but there's no consensus on the scale or scope of such measures.
The reactions have been mixed. China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, immediately dismissed the suggestion, emphasizing China's non-participation in the conflict and the counter-productivity of sanctions. Meanwhile, the ongoing negotiations between the US and India suggest a more nuanced approach to the latter's involvement. The ultimate feasibility of Trump's plan remains highly questionable, given the potential economic fallout and lack of unified support among NATO and EU member states.
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Originally published at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/15/can-the-eu-and-nato-impose-tariffs-on-india-and-china-as-trump-wants
