US President Donald Trump has reportedly stated that he is willing to impose sweeping tariffs on India and China in order to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, but only under specific conditions. He stated that he would impose these tariffs if other European Union nations agreed to do the same.

According to Bloomberg, Trump clarified the situation during a meeting with senior US and EU officials. According to the report, the US is willing to mirror any tariffs imposed by Europe on either of the countries.

Key Highlights

• Trump urges EU to impose up to 100% tariffs on India and China to pressure Russia. 
• US offers to mirror high EU tariffs on India and China, contingent on EU cooperation.

However, this would be difficult because many EU countries, including Hungary, have opposed more stringent sanctions against Russia's energy sector. For Trump to impose the 'mirroring' tariffs, all EU countries must support the sanctions.

Additional sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers, as well as restrictions on the country's banks, financial sector, and major oil companies, were discussed as potential measures, according to reports.

Also Read: US Trade Adviser Warns India Over Tariffs and Russian Oil Imports

Trump's suggestions came after Putin's deadline for a bilateral meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy expired without action. In fact, Moscow has intensified its bombing of Ukraine.

Separately, Trump, adopting a softer tone than his previous criticisms, wrote on Truth Social that India and the US will continue their trade talks and that he looks forward to speaking with his "very good friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This calmer tone comes after months of criticism, rhetoric, and blame directed at India. 

Trump and his administration have been vocally critical of India's continued purchases of Russian oil, which New Delhi claims are motivated by national interests and market dynamics. Furthermore, critics have pointed out that Trump and his administration's constant barrage of anti-India rhetoric will only drive New Delhi away from Washington, a partnership that has been carefully crafted over decades, and toward Beijing.