US calls on EU to impose tariffs against Russia
Photo: Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
The United States has suggested that the European Union follow Washington's example if the White House imposes 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent.
"Any country who buys sanctioned Russian oil is going to be subject to up to 100% secondary tariffs. President 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," the US Treasury Secretary said.
He also adds that the next stage of negotiations between the US and China will include discussions on China's purchases of Russian and Iranian oil.
"Trade is in a good place,” Bessent said on CNBC, referring to recent and ongoing negotiations with China. “And I think now we can start talking about other things. The Chinese, unfortunately, are very large purchasers of sanctioned Iranian oil, sanctioned Russian oil," Bessent stresses.
Trump's economic deadline
In July, US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with the escalation of Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities and gave the Kremlin 50 days to achieve peace with Kyiv.
If they refuse, Washington has threatened to impose secondary 100% tariffs against China, India, and Brazil, which are still trading with the aggressor.
In addition, Trump is ready to sign a bipartisan bill imposing 500% tariffs on countries that continue to buy oil from Russia and sponsor its economy to wage war against Ukraine. The restrictions could hit China, India, and Turkey.
The Kremlin recently agreed to a third round of peace talks with Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a third meeting in Istanbul on July 23. At this stage of the negotiations, official Kyiv has set itself two key tasks.
Read what will happen to Putin and Russia after the 50-day deadline.
