Even as his existing trade policies face a high-stakes Supreme Court showdown that could cost the US Treasury billions, President Donald Trump is doubling down, pushing for massive new tariffs on India and China. In a bold move to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, Trump has asked the European Union to join him in levying duties of up to 100% on the two economic giants.
The domestic legal peril cannot be overstated. A federal appeals court has already ruled that the tariffs “exceed any authority granted to the president,” and the Supreme Court will hear the case in November. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted a loss would be “terrible for the treasury,” forcing the government to refund tens of billions of dollars. Despite this uncertainty, the administration is proposing a dramatic expansion of its tariff strategy.
This new proposal was tabled during a meeting with EU officials in Washington, framed as a joint effort to force Vladimir Putin’s hand by targeting his key economic partners. A White House official underscored the administration’s eagerness to proceed, stating they are “ready to go right now,” but only with European backing. The move is a response to stalled peace talks and intensified Russian attacks in Ukraine.
The timing follows a summit where Putin flaunted his strong relationships with leaders from India and China, two countries that have been crucial to buoying the Russian economy. The US has already acted unilaterally against India, hitting its imports with 50% tariffs for purchasing Russian oil. Trump’s new request now seeks to transform this unilateral action into a powerful, unified Western economic front.