US President Donald Trump has called on the European Union to hit China and India with tariffs of up to 100% as part of his efforts to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, a source familiar with the discussions has told the BBC.
He made the demand, which was first reported by the Financial Times, during a meeting between US and EU officials on Tuesday discussing options to increase economic pressure on Russia.
The proposal comes as Trump struggles to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv and as Russia’s strikes on Ukraine intensify.
Separately, Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he plans to talk with Putin on a call this week or early next week.
Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv was struck by a Russian missile over the weekend – in an attack that was seen as both symbolic and a major aggression by the Kremlin.
Over the weekend, attacks across the country marked the heaviest aerial bombardment on Ukraine since the war began. The country said Russian forces used at least 810 drones and 13 missiles.
On Tuesday, more than 20 civilians were killed by a Russian glide bomb in the eastern Donbas region, as they queued to collect their pensions.
Speaking to reporters after the weekend bombardment, Trump said he was “not happy with the whole situation” and threatened harsher sanctions on the Kremlin.
The US president has previously threatened harsher measures against Russia, but not taken any action when Putin ignored his deadlines and threats of sanctions.
A highly anticipated summit between the leaders in Alaska last month ended without a peace deal.
The request to the European Union follows remarks from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Washington was prepared to escalate economic pressure but needed stronger European backing.
Trump also said on Tuesday that the US and India were “continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers” between the two countries.
He planned to speak to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks and expects a “successful conclusion” to their trade talks, he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
China and India are major purchasers of Russian oil, which helps to keep the Russian economy afloat.
Last month, the US imposed a 50% tariff on goods from India, which included a 25% penalty for its transactions with Russia.
Although the EU has said it would end its dependency on Russian energy, around 19% of its natural gas imports still come from Russia.
If the EU does impose the tariffs on China and India it would mark a change to its approach of attempting to isolate Russia with sanctions rather than trade levies.
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