• Trump urges NATO nations to halt Russian oil imports and impose large tariffs on China.
• Calls for sanctions are contingent on NATO unity in countering Russian aggression.
• China warns against US unilateral actions, vowing retaliation if threatened.
• European nations criticized for not intensifying sanctions on Russia.
• US Treasury pushes for collective tariffs among G7 nations against countries buying Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on NATO allies, insisting they stop buying Russian oil while advocating for significant tariffs on China, ranging from 50% to 100%. Trump claims these measures are essential to weaken China’s economic influence over Russia and bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine. He expressed this sentiment through a social media post where he stated, "I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing..." according to Indiatimes and Channel News Asia.

Trump specifically called out NATO members for their ongoing purchases of Russian oil, labeling it "shocking" and "a waste of time" as he continues to demand that the alliance acts decisively against Moscow. His remarks come amid escalating tensions, following multiple incursions of Russian drones into Polish airspace, prompting further military readiness among NATO nations, according to BBC and Le Monde.

In response to Trump's calls for sanctions, China has issued a strong rebuke, labeling US demands as "unilateral bullying," and has promised counteractions if their economic interests are threatened. Chinese officials emphasized the legitimacy of their energy partnerships with Russia and warned that such pressures from the US undermine international trade rules, according to South China Morning Post and Indiatimes.

As discussions for potential sanctions ripple across the G7 and European Union, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reiterated the importance of a "unified front" to curb any revenues supporting Putin’s war efforts, emphasizing the need for immediate tariffs on nations continuing to buy Russian oil, according to TRT Global and Anadolu Agency.

These developments underscore a complex web of international relations centered on energy dependency and economic pressures, illustrating the fractured dynamics within NATO and its strategic positioning against Russia. The urgency expressed by Trump reflects ongoing geopolitical concerns, particularly as European nations continue discussions about reducing reliance on Russian energy, indicating that further actions may be imminent, as seen in Ukraine’s active military engagements against Russian forces during recent weeks, according to BBC and TRT Global.