WASHINGTON – Media says that the European Union is unlikely to go along with US President Donald Trump’s idea of putting “100% tariffs” on India and China to put pressure on Russia. The idea came up while an EU group was in Washington last week to talk about how to deal with Moscow after it invaded Ukraine.
President Trump is said to have urged the EU to think about putting tariffs of up to 100% on India and China to stop Russia from making money from oil. However, EU sources said that the EU’s approach to tariffs is very different from its approach to sanctions. They said that tariffs are usually only put in place after a lot of research has been done to make sure there is a strong legal basis, which is not something that can be done quickly.
A diplomat from the EU said, “So far, there has been no talk of tariffs on either India or China.” The person went on to say that the EU is close to reaching a deal on trade with India and would not want to put those talks at risk. Another EU official said that such sweeping tariffs would be very risky and that it would be better to target specific companies with penalties while leaving the door open for easing the restrictions if they stop doing business with Russia.
The European Commission has not said anything about it. The EU has already put a lot of sanctions on Russia, and recently it added Chinese banks and an Indian refinery to the list of places where it has taken action. The group has only applied tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers and agricultural items so far. They say this is to defend European farmers and stop dangerous reliance.
Signs that trade tensions between the US and India are easing
The EU’s position comes at a time when President Trump’s stance on trade with India seems to be getting softer. Trump said on Wednesday that he wanted to “reset trade ties” with New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that teams from both countries are striving to finish trade talks so that the “limitless potential of the India-US partnership” can be realized.
This is the second friendly conversation between the two presidents on social media in just four days, which is a big deal given the current tensions. After Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% because India kept buying Russian energy, the relationship got worse. The leaders, who last talked on the phone in June, have said they want to talk again soon.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I’m looking forward to talking to my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the next few weeks.” I’m sure that both of our great countries will be able to come to a good end without any problems!
Modi said that India and the U.S. are “close friends and natural partners” and that he was sure their trade talks would go well. He also said he was looking forward to talking to President Trump and working together for a “brighter, more prosperous future.”
This good conversation comes after a similar one on Saturday, when Modi reaffirmed Trump’s “positive assessment” of the two countries’ relationship. Trump told reporters that he will “always be friends” with Modi and talked about the “special relationship” between the two countries.