The Trump administration has declared it is “ready to go” with a plan for 100% tariffs on India and China, but it is now waiting for a nod from the European Union. This aggressive strategy, proposed by President Donald Trump, is designed to cripple the economic support network for Russia’s war in Ukraine and force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. The condition of EU participation was made clear during talks in Washington.
The push for this dramatic action stems from Trump’s frustration with the stalled peace process and is a direct reaction to Russia’s escalating military campaign. By making the plan conditional, the US is aiming to forge a united Western front, believing that the combined economic weight of the US and EU would be too much for Russia’s allies to withstand.
The choice of India and China as targets is a strategic move to counter their deepening ties with Moscow. The US has already shown its willingness to act unilaterally by imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods. This new proposal, however, seeks a much more powerful and coordinated approach.
This international gambit is playing out as Trump’s tariff authority faces a crucial legal test at home. The Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of his trade policies, a decision that could either empower his agenda or force a costly retreat, including the refund of tens of billions of dollars in collected duties.