Trump Indicates He is Prepared to Hit Russia with “Major Sanctions.”
It is US President Donald Trump’s word that he is ready to impose “major sanctions” on Russia once all NATO countries come to an agreement. Reported by Reuters, the statement reflects Trump’s demand for a coordinated, multilateral response to the conflict in Ukraine.
These sanctions would apply once NATO member states discontinue oil buying from Russia, Trump said.
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Trump Indicates He is Prepared to Hit Russia with “Major Sanctions.” |
He also indicated that raising tariffs of 50–100% on Chinese products might chip away at China’s grip on Russia, and put Moscow under pressure to pull out of the war.
“China has tremendous control not only over, but even a grip on, Russia.
These powerful tariffs will break that grip,” Trump said in his comments.
Trump also attacked the current involvement of NATO in the conflict saying the alliance’s involvement was well below 100%.
And the war in Ukraine could end fast if NATO kept its word, he said, and emphasized his mix of economic pressure and diplomatic strategy.
Why This Matters
Trump’s proposal is part of a wider strategy of economic leverage during global conflicts, weaponizing sanctions and tariffs as a means of gaining leverage over those superpowers. As contentious as that may be, the method augurs big changes for US foreign policy and global trade particularly with NATO allies and Russia and China.
Trump is ready to impose tough sanctions on Russia when NATO members are persuaded to agree.
Sanctions would come alongside an oil boycott from NATO members against it.
He proposed 50–100% tariffs on all Chinese goods to prevent China from consolidating its hold on Russia.
Trump says NATO’s current involvement in Ukraine falls short and if revised would end the war.
By extending this step further, the war in Ukraine will receive a new dimension on this international discussion to what way can it be ended together by means of both diplomatic pressure on China, economic sanctions and trade policy methods.