NextFin news, On Friday, September 12, 2025, the United States pressed the Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers during a video conference to impose significantly higher tariffs on China and India for their purchases of Russian oil. The U.S. proposal, discussed among G7 members, seeks tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% as a measure to force Russia into peace negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson stated that China’s and India’s purchases of Russian oil continue to fund Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts, resulting in ongoing violence in Ukraine. The spokesperson emphasized that the tariffs would be lifted once the war ends.
This initiative follows recent U.S. actions, including raising tariffs on imports from India to 50% last month due to its Russian oil purchases and earlier tariff adjustments on Chinese imports. The U.S. President Donald Trump has also urged the European Union to impose similar tariffs, but EU officials have expressed concerns about the economic impact and political feasibility of such measures, given their trade relationships with China and India.
The G7 finance ministers' video conference on Friday was set to discuss this U.S. proposal as part of a broader package of measures aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia. The U.S. aims to unify G7 allies in this approach to compel Moscow to engage in peace talks with Ukraine.
European Union officials are cautious about imposing tariffs on two of their key trading partners, China and India, due to potential economic consequences and diplomatic repercussions. The EU is instead focusing on tightening sanctions on Russian energy companies and accelerating plans to end Russian oil and gas imports earlier than the current 2027 deadline.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently visited Brussels to finalize agreements for the EU to increase imports of American gas, oil, and nuclear fuel, valued at $750 billion, to reduce dependence on Russian energy. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen proposed banning Russian gas imports to hasten the EU's energy transition.
The U.S. pressure on the G7 to impose tariffs on China and India is part of a broader strategy to isolate Russia economically and politically, aiming to end the war in Ukraine. The discussions reflect ongoing transatlantic efforts to coordinate sanctions and trade measures against Russia amid differing approaches between the U.S. and the EU.
Sources: Financial Times, Espreso.tv, Report.az, Politico, Dynamite News (all accessed September 12, 2025).
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