The US will put pressure not only on the EU but also on the G7 to raise tariffs on India and China over their purchases of Russian oil, the Financial Times reports, citing informed sources.
„Earlier this week we made it clear to our EU allies that they must join us in imposing significant tariffs on India and China, which will be lifted the day the conflict in Ukraine ends. Our G7 partners should join us,” a source from the US Treasury Department told the publication.
According to the publication, on Friday during a video conference, finance ministers of the G7 countries will discuss Washington's proposal against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's intentions to step up efforts to reach a peace agreement on Ukraine.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Trump had asked the EU to raise tariffs to 100% on India and China as part of a joint effort to increase pressure on Russia. According to the Wall Street Journal, Brussels responded by pointing to the fact that it does not use such measures in its sanctions policy.
Recently, relations between India and the United States have deteriorated against the backdrop of Washington's demands to suspend cooperation with Moscow in the energy sector.
In late July, Trump announced the introduction of a 25% tariff on imports from India. He cited New Delhi's high tariffs, trade barriers and "collusion with Russia" as reasons. Trump said India should also pay an unspecified fine for the aforementioned actions. The tariffs took effect on August 7.
A day earlier, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from India for buying Russian oil. These sanctions are in effect from August 27.
New Delhi has refused to comply with Trump's demands.