“Ready to Go Right Now”: Trump Pressures EU for Massive Tariffs on Putin’s Allies

The Trump administration has declared it is “ready to go right now” with a plan to levy tariffs of up to 100% on India and China, but only if the European Union joins the effort. US President Donald Trump is championing this strategy as a way to corner Russian President Vladimir Putin and bring an end to the war in Ukraine. The proposal was formally made to EU officials in Washington during talks focused on tightening the economic screws on Russia.
The bold proposition reflects President Trump’s impatience with the stalled peace process and Russia’s intensified military campaign in Ukraine. A US official emphasized the conditional nature of the plan, making it clear that transatlantic cooperation is essential for its implementation. Trump indicated he expects to speak with Putin soon, suggesting that diplomatic and economic pressures are being applied simultaneously.
This move targets two of Russia’s most significant global partners. The backdrop includes a recent summit in China where Putin showcased his strong relationships with both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi. The US has already demonstrated its willingness to use trade as a weapon, having recently hiked duties on Indian goods to 50% over its energy trade with Russia. Meanwhile, Mexico has also announced it will raise tariffs on automobiles from China and other Asian nations.
However, Trump’s entire tariff policy faces a precarious future. A Supreme Court hearing is set to determine the legality of his executive authority on trade, after lower courts consistently ruled against him. An unfavorable verdict could prove costly, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning that the government would have to refund “about half the tariffs,” a scenario he described as “terrible for the treasury.”