US President Donald Trump has urged European Union (EU) officials to impose tariffs as high as 100% on China as part of a strategy to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The call was made in a conference call with David O’Sullivan, the EU’s sanctions chief, and other officials.
Trump also suggested that the EU impose similar tariffs on India, given the two countries’ roles as major buyers of Russian oil that has been financing Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
An EU official said the US was prepared to impose similar tariffs if the EU followed through on the request, a message demanding joint action between Washington and Brussels.
The proposal represents a significant shift in strategy from the EU, which has so far preferred to use economic sanctions rather than trade tariffs as a tool to pressure Russia.
Trump has previously imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India in response to continued dealings with the Kremlin, but has not yet taken the tougher action he is proposing.
However, he also signaled openness to trade cooperation with India, stating that negotiations were still ongoing.
Trump also announced that he would be speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future.
