Trump Threatens China with Tariffs Over Russian Oil Purchases

U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his administration’s economic campaign against Russia on September 14, 2025, by threatening to impose tariffs of 50% to 100% on China if it continues to purchase Russian oil. In a public statement and a letter to NATO allies, Trump called for a unified front to cut off Russian energy revenues, which he argued are fueling the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks, delivered via his social media platform and echoed in communications with NATO and G7 finance ministers, emphasized his belief that a coordinated embargo on Russian oil and steep tariffs on China would “break [China’s] grip” on Russia and hasten an end to the conflict. He described the continued purchase of Russian oil by some NATO members as “shocking” and claimed it undermines the alliance’s negotiating power with Moscow. Trump specifically named China as the largest buyer of Russian oil, followed by India and Turkey, and criticized NATO members such as Hungary and Slovakia for their ongoing imports.

The president’s threat comes amid heightened tensions following a recent incident in which Russian drones entered Polish airspace, an act that Poland responded to by shooting down the drones. While Trump downplayed the severity of the incursion, he used the episode to reinforce his call for tougher economic measures against Russia and its trading partners. He also referenced recent U.S. secondary sanctions on India for its Russian oil purchases, signaling a broader willingness to target countries supporting Russia’s energy sector.

Trump’s proposal has drawn mixed reactions among NATO allies. Some European leaders have expressed concern that a sudden halt to Russian oil imports could destabilize energy markets and harm their economies, while others have signaled support for increased pressure on Moscow. The U.S. Congress is currently debating legislation to further tighten sanctions on Russia, following a recent summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that failed to yield progress toward peace.

In his communications, Trump placed responsibility for the ongoing war on his predecessor, Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, notably omitting direct blame for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He argued that only a unified and forceful economic response—including tariffs on China—would be sufficient to end what he called a “deadly, but ridiculous, war.”

The administration’s stance marks a significant escalation in the use of economic tools to influence the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Trump betting that secondary sanctions and tariffs will force both China and Russia to reconsider their positions. The coming weeks are likely to see further debate within NATO and the G7 over the feasibility and potential consequences of such measures.