Bessent pushes Europe to join US in secondary sanctions on Russia
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary (Getty Images)
The US expects Europe to join potential secondary tariffs against Russia, though the exact timing of their implementation remains unclear, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in an interview with CNBC.
Commenting on President Donald Trump's ultimatum regarding secondary tariffs on Russia, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that around 80 to 90 senators support strengthening anti-Russian sanctions.
"President Trump has single handedly changed the paradigm here," Bessent said. "Because included in that bill is a — we don't know what the deadline will be, whether it's 10, 30, 50 days. But any country who buys sanctioned Russian oil is going to be subject to up to 100% secondary tariffs."
According to him, the US Senate now agrees with President Trump that tariffs can be used as a tool to achieve political goals, calling this shift "revolutionary."
"Trump has changed the conversation here. And I would urge our European allies who have talked a big game to follow us if we implement these secondary tariffs," he emphasized.
Trump's warning
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that secondary tariffs against Russia would come into effect if Moscow does not agree to end its war against Ukraine within 50 days.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that such measures could deliver a heavy blow to countries like China, India, and Brazil. He urged the leaders of these three nations to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course.
