President Donald Trump is considering placing tariffs on China to buy Russian oil, according to vice president JD Vance in a tensile similar to the one recently adopted against India. Vance with Fox News said there was no final decision, but confirmed that the idea was discussed.
At the beginning of this week, Trump announced tariffs in India and missed the continuing import of Russian oil.
The discussion reflects the growing concerns in the Trump circle over the Beijing role in supporting Moscow’s economy in the middle of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The aim would focus on China to reduce its energy trade with Russia.
Vance stressed that the idea remains considered and no formal policy has been determined.
Since the beginning of the Ukrainian War in 2022, China has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian raw materials, which helped to equalize the impact of Western sanctions on Moscow. Washington had previously warned Beijing that such purchases were undermining international efforts to insulate Russia.
If they were enacted, new tariffs may mean escalation of the already hard business attitude of Trump to China.
Tariffs doubled to Indian goods
Last week, the White House issued an executive order that imposed another 25 percentage points in the tariffs on all Indian goods, increasing the total obligation to 50%. This step announced by Trump focuses on Indian imports of Russian oil, which administration claims to undermine US foreign policy and national security interests.
The new tariffs take effect 21 days after signing the order and provide India and Russia a short window that potentially negotiates with Washington on import taxes.
Petero Navarro, an advisor to the White House, said India was facing a steep trip because of her “refusal” to stop Russian oil shopping – a business that helps the war to finance the war of Moscow in Ukraine.
Since 2022, the Russian share of total oil imports in India has increased from 1.7% to 35.1%, making it the largest Indian oil supplier. The shift was powered by discounted Russian oil, often limited to $ 60 per barrel, which India says it is critical for energy security.
No business conversations until the disputes are resolved
President Trump announced last week that the US is not dealing with new business negotiations with India until the disputes of tariffs are resolved. The executive order also allows further expansion or decrease in tariffs depending on the alignment of the country with the objectives of the US National Security and the objectives of foreign policy.
The punishment in India monitors earlier business actions against other countries, but contrasts with a softer approach to China. While Beijing is currently facing 30% of the tariff, the Finance Minister Scott Bessnt suggested that his 12th August could be extended if the business conversations advance.
If 50% of the tariffs are performed according to plan, they refer to one of the toughest business measures that Washington has taken against the main economic partner in recent years, potentially escalating tension between the two largest democracy.
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