The next chapter of the Ukraine war could be an economic showdown between the West and Russia’s key allies, India and China. President Donald Trump has proposed that the US and the European Union jointly impose tariffs of up to 100% on the two nations, a move that would dramatically escalate the financial conflict surrounding the war.
This proposal, made to visiting EU officials, is a sign of Trump’s growing frustration with the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough. With Russia continuing its military campaign, the White House is seeking a more powerful form of leverage. A US official confirmed the plan but stressed that it requires European participation to proceed.
The strategy is a direct challenge to the economic and political ties that Vladimir Putin has cultivated with Beijing and New Delhi. The US has already taken a step in this direction, hitting India with a 50% tariff. This new proposal would transform a skirmish into a full-blown economic confrontation.
This potential showdown is complicated by a major legal battle within the United States. The Supreme Court is poised to rule on the president’s tariff authority, and a loss would severely handicap the administration’s ability to wage this economic fight, forcing a retreat and massive financial refunds.
The Ukraine War’s Next Chapter: An Economic Showdown with India and China?
