Trump Urges NATO to Cease Russian Oil Purchases and Implement Tariffs on China

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged all NATO countries to stop buying oil from Russia and impose significant tariffs on China until the end of the Ukraine war. NATO members such as Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia continue to purchase oil from Russia.

According to France24.com, President Trump stated his belief that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be resolved if NATO countries collectively halted their oil imports from Russia and imposed tariffs ranging from 50 to 100 percent on China, particularly for its purchases of Russian petroleum. He expressed his concerns on his social media platform, criticizing what he perceives as NATO’s insufficient commitment to ending the war and highlighting that the continuation of Russian oil purchases by some member countries undermines their negotiating position with Russia.

While Trump had previously campaigned on swiftly ending the war, his actions to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin have been questioned. Congress is currently pushing for tougher sanctions, especially after recent diplomatic talks between Trump and Putin in Alaska failed to yield significant progress towards peace.

The US and its allies are demonstrating a stronger stance against Russia. At a recent UN Security Council meeting, acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea emphasized America’s commitment to defending NATO territory, citing concerns over drones entering Poland. Meanwhile, Britain has taken measures to penalize the trading of Russian oil, including banning certain vessels and sanctioning entities linked to Russia.

In his social media post, Trump argued that a NATO ban on Russian oil and increased tariffs on China would significantly aid in ending the ongoing conflict. He suggested that tariffs on China should be withdrawn if the war concludes.

Trump also commented on China’s influence over Russia, suggesting that imposing powerful tariffs could diminish China’s leverage. While he has increased tariffs on Indian imports due to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, he has been cautious with additional tariffs on China, given the delicate trade relations between the US and China.

The president’s stance was further reinforced during a call with finance ministers from the Group of Seven countries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the need for a united approach to cut off financial resources fueling Russia’s military activities, as reported by Greer’s office.