In a new twist on pressuring Russia, President Donald Trump is planning to target the economic lifelines that have kept Vladimir Putin’s regime afloat. He has asked the European Union to join the US in a plan to levy 100% tariffs on India and China, two countries whose trade has been crucial for Moscow. The proposal aims to indirectly force an end to the war in Ukraine by creating an economic crisis for Russia’s allies.
This strategy was presented to EU officials as a necessary next step, given the failure of diplomatic efforts and Russia’s continued aggression. A White House official stated the US is “ready to go” but has made it clear that this is a joint mission that requires full European participation.
The plan is a direct response to the alliance Putin has forged with Beijing and New Delhi. The US has already taken punitive measures against India for its Russian energy purchases, imposing a 50% tariff last month. The new initiative seeks to build a powerful transatlantic coalition to vastly increase that pressure.
The legal authority for this move, however, is anything but certain. The Supreme Court is preparing to rule on the constitutionality of Trump’s tariff powers, and a negative verdict could be catastrophic for his administration’s policy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has acknowledged the risk, stating that a loss would mean refunding “about half the tariffs,” a “terrible” outcome for the US Treasury.
From Russia with Tariffs: Trump’s Plan to Target Putin’s Economic Lifelines
