NextFin news, WASHINGTON — On Saturday, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged all NATO member countries to stop buying oil from Russia, asserting that such a move would help end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. He also threatened to impose tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China for its purchases of Russian petroleum.
Trump made these statements in a post on his social media platform, criticizing some NATO members for continuing to buy Russian oil, which he described as "shocking" and weakening their negotiating position against Russia. He emphasized that NATO's commitment to winning the war "has been far less than 100%."
He specifically called for NATO countries to ban Russian oil imports and simultaneously impose steep tariffs on China, which he said has a "strong control, and even grip, over Russia." Trump stated that these tariffs would help break China's influence over Russia.
Trump's post also mentioned that the tariffs on China should be withdrawn if the war, which began with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, comes to an end. He has previously imposed a 25% import tax on goods from India for its purchase of Russian energy products.
The former president attributed responsibility for the war to his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, notably excluding Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, NATO member Turkey ranks as the third largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India. Other NATO countries purchasing Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia.
Trump's call comes amid heightened tensions following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, a NATO ally, which Poland intercepted and shot down. The U.S. Congress is also attempting to garner Trump's support for legislation to toughen sanctions on Russia.
The statements were made from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where Trump is based, and reported by the Associated Press Television News. The timing coincides with ongoing international efforts to address the conflict and its economic ramifications.
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