President Donald Trump is attempting a major pivot in the international effort to end the Ukraine war, aiming a powerful economic weapon not at Russia, but at its key partners, India and China. He has asked the European Union to join the US in a plan to impose tariffs of up to 100% on their goods, a strategy designed to indirectly force a change in Vladimir Putin’s calculations. The proposal was formally tabled with EU officials this week.
This indirect approach comes as direct diplomacy with Putin has failed to yield results, leaving Trump frustrated. Coupled with Russia’s recent escalation of drone attacks, the administration is now pursuing a strategy of secondary sanctions on a massive scale. A White House official underscored that this is a call for a joint venture, contingent on the EU’s willingness to participate.
The strategy is a direct response to Putin’s diplomatic successes in strengthening ties with Beijing and New Delhi, which have helped insulate the Russian economy. The US has already taken a step in this direction by hitting India with 50% tariffs over its oil trade with Russia. The new plan seeks to vastly expand this pressure with the combined economic might of the US and the EU.
However, the legal authority for such a move is under serious question back in the United States. The Supreme Court is preparing to hear a landmark case on the president’s tariff powers, and a negative ruling could unravel the entire policy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has acknowledged the risk, noting that a loss would mean refunding about half of all tariffs collected, a “terrible” outcome for the US budget.