Trump Urges EU to Target China and India with 100% Tariffs to Pressure Putin

US President Donald Trump has urged the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India in a bid to cut off economic support for Russia and push President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, according to sources cited by the BBC.

The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, came during a meeting between US and EU officials on Tuesday as both sides explored ways to increase pressure on Moscow. Trump, who has struggled to advance peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, has repeatedly threatened harsher sanctions but has yet to follow through despite ongoing Russian escalation.

Over the weekend, Russia launched its most intense aerial assault since the war began, striking government buildings in Kyiv and using hundreds of drones and missiles across Ukraine. On Tuesday, a Russian glide bomb killed more than 20 civilians in Donbas as they queued for pension payments.

Speaking after the bombardments, Trump said he was “not happy with the whole situation” and signaled tougher measures against the Kremlin. He also revealed plans to speak directly with Putin this week or early next.

The tariff push follows recent remarks from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stressed the need for stronger European cooperation in tightening the economic squeeze on Russia.

China and India remain two of Russia’s largest oil customers, providing a crucial lifeline for its economy. Last month, Washington imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty linked to its trade with Russia.

At the same time, Trump is seeking to stabilize ties with New Delhi. He announced ongoing negotiations to resolve trade disputes with India, and both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about reaching a deal soon. Trump also highlighted what he called the “special relationship” between the two nations.

Although the EU has pledged to phase out Russian energy imports, about 19% of its natural gas still comes from Moscow. If Brussels agrees to Trump’s request, it would mark a sharp shift from its current strategy of targeting Russia directly through sanctions rather than pressuring its trading partners with tariffs.