India and China have found themselves in the crosshairs of US foreign policy, as President Donald Trump has asked the European Union to join him in a plan to levy tariffs of up to 100% on their exports. This aggressive economic maneuver is designed to punish both nations for their continued trade and diplomatic support of Russia, with the ultimate goal of forcing Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The proposal was a central topic during a recent meeting between top US Treasury officials and an EU delegation.
The move signals a major escalation in the West’s strategy to isolate Russia. A White House official stated the US is “ready to go right now” but stressed that the action would be conditional on the EU’s full participation. The push for such drastic measures is fueled by Trump’s exasperation with the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough to end the conflict and by Russia’s recent intensification of attacks on Ukrainian soil.
This targeting of Russia’s key allies follows a summit where Putin, Xi Jinping, and Narendra Modi showcased their strong ties. The US has already acted against India, recently doubling tariffs to 50% over its purchases of Russian oil. In a seemingly contradictory message, Trump also wrote on his social media platform that he looks forward to “a successful conclusion” to ongoing trade talks with his “very good friend,” Prime Minister Modi.
The entire tariff-centric policy is facing a critical legal challenge in the United States. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in November on whether the president has exceeded his authority in imposing such duties. While the administration claims it is confident of winning, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted a loss would trigger massive refunds, costing the US Treasury tens of billions of dollars.