US President Donald Trump has said that he is open to supporting new legislation aimed at sanctioning countries that continue business ties with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters, Trump said that Republican lawmakers are preparing a strict proposal that would penalise any nation trading with Moscow, especially in the energy sector.
Trump claimed that Russia’s global trading partners are indirectly supporting the war by purchasing Russian oil, gas and other key exports. India and China are among the countries likely to be affected by the proposed sanction framework, and Trump has previously labelled both nations as “primary funders” of Russia’s war efforts. He has already imposed a 25% “penalty tariff” on India, raising the total tariff level to 50% in August this year.
The former President hinted that Iran may also be added to the sanctions list, as the Republican Party plans to push the bill forward. According to a Bloomberg report, the legislation would allow Trump to levy tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that purchase Russian energy and do not actively support Ukraine.
Interestingly, Trump’s latest position follows failed peace outreach efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Initially, he was reluctant to endorse extreme sanction policies as part of an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire, but with talks collapsing, he is now backing aggressive trade and diplomatic pressure.
Meanwhile, India and Russia have continued expanding bilateral trade, reiterating their goal of reaching USD 100 billion by 2030 and accelerating talks on the proposed India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) free trade agreement.
In a separate move aimed at easing inflation pressure, Trump recently lifted tariffs on over 20 food commodities, including beef, offering partial relief to Indian exporters of coffee, spices, tea, and cashews who were previously hit by doubled tariff duties.
