The United States government has reportedly threatened to impose tariffs of up to 500% on China for continuing to import oil from Russia — but only if European allies agree to take similar action.
According to Treasury Secretary Bessent, the proposal has strong bipartisan momentum, with 85 senators backing plans to grant President Donald Trump the authority to enforce the tariffs.
Bessent confirmed that the president had directed her to formally communicate with European leaders, making clear that Washington’s punitive measures would only take effect if the European Union aligns with the U.S. on the sanctions.
The move marks a dramatic escalation in economic pressure aimed at curbing Moscow’s wartime oil revenues and deterring global trade partners from circumventing Western sanctions.
However, critics have slammed the proposed tariffs as reckless and economically destabilizing, warning that such a move could spark a global trade war and further strain U.S.-EU relations.
The proposal has already drawn strong reactions online, with some observers describing it as “a sign of desperation” in the U.S. approach toward managing global oil flows and its geopolitical rivalry with China.