WASHINGTON, D.C. – US President Donald Trump has urged the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India, arguing that punishing Moscow’s biggest oil customers could force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump made the demand during a closed-door meeting with EU officials on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the talks, first reported by the Financial Times.
The discussions focused on ways to tighten economic pressure on Moscow, as Russia steps up its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
The president, who has repeatedly promised to end the conflict on his “first day in office,” is facing difficulty securing a peace deal.
Russia’s latest escalation included the heaviest aerial assault since the invasion began, with Kyiv confirming that at least 810 drones and 13 missiles were used in weekend strikes.
A missile hit Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv, while a Russian glide bomb killed more than 20 civilians in Donbas on Tuesday.
“China and India are bankrolling Russia’s war by buying its oil,” Trump told reporters separately, adding that he was considering new sanctions.
He also revealed he planned to hold a call with Putin this week or early next week.
China and India remain among Russia’s most critical economic partners, with oil purchases helping to stabilise the Kremlin’s finances despite Western sanctions.
While the EU has pledged to end reliance on Russian energy, about 19% of its natural gas still comes from the country.
The proposal would mark a significant departure for Brussels, which has so far focused on sanctioning Russian entities rather than imposing levies on third countries.
Trump’s push comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was prepared to escalate economic pressure on Moscow but needed stronger European support.
Last month, the US slapped a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% surcharge linked to New Delhi’s trade with Moscow. Still, Trump has insisted ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain “strong.”
The two leaders are expected to speak in the coming weeks. “Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest,” Modi said on Tuesday, describing the US and India as “close friends and natural partners.”
A highly anticipated Trump-Putin summit in Alaska last month ended without a breakthrough.
Despite threatening harsher measures, Trump has so far stopped short of enforcing the sweeping sanctions he has pledged against Moscow.
