Trump Floats New Tariffs on China, India to Squeeze Russia

President Donald Trump told European officials he is willing to impose sweeping new tariffs on India and China to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiating with Ukraine — but only if EU nations do the same, Skylar Woodhouse and Alberto Nardelli reported for Bloomberg News.

Trump made the proposal during a call with senior US and EU officials in Washington, according to people familiar with the talks.

One official said the US would match tariffs imposed by Europe on either country. The idea poses a challenge, however, as some EU members — including Hungary — have previously blocked tougher sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.

Any new EU measures would require unanimous approval from member states. Other options under discussion include sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers as well as restrictions on its banks, financial sector, and major oil companies, the people said.

Trump’s suggestion, first reported by the Financial Times, came after his deadline for Putin to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy passed without signs that the Russian leader — who met Trump in Alaska last month — is serious about peace talks.