No Plan Yet to Punish China for Buying Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump said that he does not immediately need to consider retaliatory tariffs on countries such as China for buying Russian oil, though he might “in two or three weeks,” Costas Pitas, Jasper Ward, Jarrett Renshaw and Trevor Hunnicutt reported for Reuters.

China and India are the two largest buyers of Russian crude. (Photo: Администрация Волгоградской области Wikimedia Commons/ www.volganet.ru) 

Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries that purchase its oil if no progress is made toward ending the war in Ukraine.

China and India are the two largest buyers of Russian crude. Last week, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing its continued imports of Russian oil, but has not yet taken similar action against China.

Asked by Fox News’ Sean Hannity whether he was considering tariffs against Beijing after failing to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Alaska summit, Trump replied: “Well, because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that. Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don’t have to think about that right now.”