US President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to place steep tariffs — up to 100% — on goods from China and India, saying it would pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump made the request during a Tuesday conference call with EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan and other European officials, according to US and EU sources.
The meeting focused on how to apply more economic pressure on Russia, which has continued its invasion of Ukraine since 2022.
China and India are two of Russia's largest oil buyers. Trump believes that raising tariffs on these countries would weaken Russia's economy by targeting its key trade partners.
"If China and India keep buying oil from Russia, we need to act," Trump told reporters later that day. "The war won't stop until we cut off the money."
According to Reuters, a senior EU diplomat confirmed the US request and said Washington indicated it would impose similar tariffs if the EU agreed to join.
"They are basically saying: 'We'll do this, but only if you do it with us,'" the diplomat explained.
The European Union has so far avoided using tariffs in its strategy against Russia. Instead, the bloc has relied on sanctions and efforts to end its dependence on Russian gas. However, around 19% of EU gas imports still come from Russia.
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President Trump has called the EU to implement tariffs of up to 100% on India and China to collectively push Russia to stop its war in Ukraine.
The U.S. is ready to replicate any tariffs the EU imposes on China and India, per FT.
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This new US push could shift the EU's approach. The move also follows warnings from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said America was ready to escalate its economic efforts — but wanted stronger support from Europe.
Last month, the US raised tariffs on Indian goods by 50%, partly in response to India's continued trade with Russia. But harsher measures are now being discussed, BBC said.
Trump, who has long promised to "end the war on day one," also said he plans to speak with Putin soon, possibly this week or next. Despite previous threats, no major breakthrough has been made.
In Ukraine, the war has intensified. Russian strikes over the weekend targeted major cities, including Kyiv. In the Donbas region, more than 20 civilians were killed while waiting in line for pension payments.
Meanwhile, Trump also said the US is working closely with India on trade issues. He noted that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are "natural partners" and plan to speak in the coming weeks.
"We are looking for a fair deal," Trump said. "And we're getting close."
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