Trump Urges NATO to Stop Buying Russian Oil, Threatens High Tariffs on China
Basking Ridge, NJ, September 13: U.S. President Donald Trump has called on all NATO member countries to immediately halt purchases of Russian oil and impose massive tariffs on China, claiming that such actions would force an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized several NATO allies for continuing to buy oil from Russia, saying it “greatly weakens” the alliance’s negotiating power and undermines efforts to pressure Moscow.
“NATO’s commitment to winning the war has been far less than 100%. The purchase of Russian oil by some NATO members is shocking,” Trump wrote.
Trump proposed a 50% to 100% tariff on China for its continued purchases of Russian petroleum, suggesting that such a move would significantly reduce Beijing’s influence over Moscow.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia,” he wrote. “Powerful tariffs will break that grip.”
He further suggested that these tariffs could be withdrawn if the war — triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — comes to an end.
Targeting NATO Allies and China
Trump’s remarks come amid renewed tensions in the region following reports of Russian drones entering Polish airspace — a serious escalation involving a NATO member. Polish forces shot down the drones, heightening security concerns across the alliance.
While Turkey — a NATO member — remains one of the top importers of Russian oil globally (after China and India), other alliance members like Hungary and Slovakia are also reportedly continuing oil imports from Moscow, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Trump, who is currently the Republican front-runner for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, said that a coordinated oil embargo by NATO along with tariffs on Chinese imports could play a major role in ending what he described as a “deadly, but ridiculous” war.
No Mention of Putin
Interestingly, Trump placed the blame for the ongoing war not on Russian President Vladimir Putin — who ordered the invasion of Ukraine — but on his political rival, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“This war should have never started in the first place,” Trump added, without criticizing Putin’s role in the conflict.
Trump also noted that his administration had already placed a 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian energy products.
Congress Debates Tougher Sanctions
Trump’s comments come as the U.S. Congress continues to deliberate tougher sanctions against Russia and its trade partners, particularly China. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for broader economic measures to pressure the Kremlin into ending its military campaign in Ukraine.
Analysts say Trump’s latest statements may influence the ongoing debate in Washington over how to approach Russia, China, and energy-related sanctions ahead of the 2024 election.
