EU Won’t Hit China With 100% Tariffs That Trump Wants

Donald Trump has thrown down his gauntlet: He wants European nations to impose 50% to 100% tariffs on China as part of a joint strategy to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jorge Liboreiro reported for Euronews.

While Brussels signaled readiness to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, it pushed back strongly against the tariff request. (Photo: sergejf Wikimedia Commons) 

The demand, which had already leaked to the press, became official US policy when Trump announced it in a social media post over the weekend.

In his “letter,” as he called it, Trump argued that punitive tariffs on China, combined with an immediate end to all purchases of Russian oil, would be of “great help” in ending “this deadly but ridiculous war.”

He added: “China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip.”

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with the EU’s sanctions envoy, David O’Sullivan, in Washington, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen in Brussels.

On Friday, G7 finance ministers held a sanctions-focused call.

While Brussels signaled readiness to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, it pushed back strongly against the tariff request.

“Any new measures to be announced in the 19th sanctions package will be fully in line with EU rules and procedures, notably the long-held principle that our sanctions do not apply extra-territorially,” a European Commission spokesperson said. Privately, diplomats were blunt: no way.