Trump ties new Russia sanctions to NATO tariffs on China
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President Trump speaks during a September 11th observance event in Arlington, Virginia. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Trump on Saturday said he will impose further U.S. sanctions on Russia only if all NATO countries place high tariffs on China.
Why it matters: Trump has threatened to impose more sanctions on Russia to press it to end the war in Ukraine, but despite many public statements he has so far been reluctant to do it.
- Trump claimed on Saturday that imposing tariffs on China would lead Beijing to press Vladimir Putin to end the war.
- Despite his promises to end the war in Ukraine, Trump seemed doubtful lately about his ability to influence Putin. He has conceded to confidants that he misjudged Putin's desire for peace, a source with direct knowledge told Axios.
Catch up quick: One month ago, Trump declared that Putin would face severe consequences if he didn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or take major steps toward peace when they met in Alaska.
- But since then, regardless of the fact that Putin didn't agree to a ceasefire or even for a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump didn't impose new sanctions.
State of play: Instead, the administration has shifted the onus for pressuring Putin onto Europe, demanding additional EU sanctions on Moscow and on China for buying Russian oil.
- Earlier this week, Russia launched the largest aerial attack of the war on Ukrainian cities.
- On Wednesday, 19 Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace. NATO allies described that as a dangerous, intentional provocation, but Trump said it "could have been a mistake" when asked about it on Thursday.
What he is saying: On Saturday morning Trump published on his Truth social account what he called "A LETTER TO ALL NATO NATIONS AND, THE WORLD".
- He wrote that he is ready "to do major Sanctions on Russia" but conditioned it on all NATO nations agreeing to do the same thing, and on all NATO countries stopping buying Russian oil.
- "As you know, NATO'S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia", Trump wrote.
Context: Two of the main countries buying Russian oil are Hungary and Slovakia. The conservative leaders of these two countries are Trump's key political allies in Europe.
- Trump also suggested that all NATO countries place 50% to 100% tariffs on China and make it clear to Beijing that it will lift the tariffs only after the war in Ukraine ends.
- "China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip", he stressed. "If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly... If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States".
What to watch: The finance ministers of the G7 countries held a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss way to increase economic pressure on Russia.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed at the meeting that G7 countries need to impose sanctions and tariffs on every country that buys Russian oil, the Treasury Department said.
