NextFin news, BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — On Saturday, September 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump urged NATO member countries to halt their purchases of Russian oil and to impose tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China for its acquisition of Russian petroleum. Trump stated that these actions would significantly pressure Russia and could bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump made these remarks in a letter posted on his social media platform Truth Social, criticizing NATO's commitment to the war effort as "far less than 100%" and calling it "shocking" that some alliance members continue to buy Russian oil. He emphasized that such purchases weaken NATO's negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, since 2023, Turkey has been the third-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, with NATO members Hungary and Slovakia also continuing their purchases.
Trump's comments came shortly after multiple Russian drones entered Polish airspace, an act Poland described as escalatory. Trump downplayed the incident, suggesting it "could have been a mistake." He also blamed former U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war, notably omitting any mention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion in 2022.
Trump stated he is prepared to impose "major sanctions" on Russia once all NATO countries agree to stop buying Russian oil. He also argued that tariffs on China would "break its grip" over Russia and could be lifted once the war ends. The U.S. has already imposed a 25% import tax on goods from India for its purchases of Russian energy.
These statements followed a recent call by Group of Seven finance ministers, during which U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged allies to present a unified strategy to cut off Russian war revenues.
Trump's proposal aligns with ongoing U.S. efforts to pressure countries purchasing Russian oil, as the Biden administration and Congress push for tougher sanctions to end the conflict.
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