The US president has promised “a lot more” secondary sanctions on Russian trade partners
US President Donald Trump has said he could impose new sanctions on China as part of a broader effort to pressure countries that trade with Russia.
On Wednesday, Trump said he will double the tariffs on India to 50% by late August, accusing the South Asian nation of aiding Moscow in the Ukraine conflict by buying Russian oil.
Later that day at a press briefing at the White House, the president was asked whether he plans to extend additional tariffs to China.
“Could happen. Depends on how we do,” Trump said.
Asked about other nations’ purchases of Russian energy, he stated that more tariffs will follow.
“You’re going to see a lot more. You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions,” he said.
New Delhi and Beijing, two of the largest importers of Russian oil, have both pledged to defend their economic interests despite the new tariffs.
“India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
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Beijing vowed last week to “ensure its energy supply” in ways that guarantee its interests. “Tariff wars have no winners,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.
US tariffs on Chinese goods currently stand at 30%, temporarily frozen after a major trade standoff earlier this year.
In April, Trump launched a trade war with Beijing, which pushed final tit-for-tat US tariffs to 145% and China’s retaliatory tariffs to 125%. The two superpowers reached a trade truce in May, but the temporary freeze is set to expire next Tuesday.
US-Chinese trade talks in Sweden last week saw both agree to work towards extending the tariff truce, but did not reach a final agreement.
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