The US administration has insisted to representatives of the G7 countries that they should impose tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. This was stated in a joint statement issued by the US Treasury Department and the office of the US Trade Representative.
As noted in the statement, in earlier consultations with representatives of the G7 countries (Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, France and Japan), US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant “repeated President Trump's call“. According to the minister, the G7 countries, if they are “truly committed“ with the end of the Ukrainian conflict, “should join the United States in imposing tariffs on countries that buy oil from Russia“.
Bessent and US trade representative Jamieson Greer “welcomed commitments to increase sanctions pressure and are considering using frozen Russian assets to further strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities“. Bessent and Greer also spoke of the need for “joint efforts“ by Western countries to reduce Russia's revenues and “apply sufficient economic pressure“. "We are encouraged by the assurances of our G7 colleagues that they are committed to ending this war and we hope that they will join us in taking decisive action at this critical time," the US Treasury Department quoted Besant and Greer as saying.
A joint statement by G7 finance ministers published earlier noted that the G7 countries had discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions and tariffs on countries they believe are supporting Russia in the conflict in Ukraine. According to the document, excerpts of which were cited by Reuters, the G7 countries "discussed a wide range of possible economic measures to increase pressure on Russia, including additional sanctions and trade measures, such as tariffs, on those that provide conditions for Russia's military efforts".
The G7 finance ministers also agreed to accelerate discussions on the possibility of using frozen Russian assets "for the defense of Ukraine". As the Financial Times previously reported, citing its own sources, the United States intends to pressure other G7 countries to impose significantly higher tariffs on India and China for purchasing Russian oil.
On September 9, the Financial Times reported that Trump had called on the EU to increase tariffs on goods from China and India to 100% in order to increase pressure on Russia. Earlier, the publication reported that the EU was discussing the possibility of imposing sanctions against China and third countries for purchasing Russian oil and gas.