The Price of Partnership: Trump’s Tariff Plan Puts India and China on Notice

President Donald Trump is raising the price of partnership with Russia, putting India and China on notice that their continued economic support for Moscow could cost them dearly. He has proposed that the US and EU join forces to impose tariffs of up to 100% on their exports, a move aimed at forcing an end to the war in Ukraine. This warning was delivered via a proposal to EU officials this week.
The strategy is a clear attempt to isolate Russia from its most important economic allies. A White House official confirmed the administration’s readiness to proceed but emphasized that it would only do so with European backing. This places the burden on the EU to decide whether to join this confrontational new phase of economic pressure.
The proposal comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has been actively cultivating his relationships with both Beijing and New Delhi. The US has already responded to this with a 50% tariff hike on India for its Russian oil purchases. Now, Trump is seeking to create a united front that would dramatically escalate the economic stakes for both nations.
However, the entire policy is on shaky legal ground. The US Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on the legality of the president’s tariff powers. A decision against the administration would not only dismantle his existing trade policies but would also require the government to pay back billions of dollars in collected duties.