• Trump threatens tariffs of 50-100% on Chinese goods due to perceived support for Russia.
• He calls for NATO members to stop buying Russian oil to expedite an end to the Ukraine war.
• Trump claims that China has a strong grip on Russia and that tariffs will disrupt this control.
• Beijing warns against unilateral actions from the US, defending its oil purchases.
• G7 leaders support Trump's call for sanctions and tariffs during recent talks.

US President Donald Trump has made a strong call for NATO countries to collectively halt any purchases of oil from Russia, proposing a radical shift in their economic strategy to swiftly end the war in Ukraine. He suggested imposing tariffs on China that could range from 50% to 100%, arguing that this action is necessary given China's significant influence over Russia's military actions, stating that "powerful tariffs will break that grip," according to Indiatimes and TRT Global.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump stressed that NATO's commitment to confronting Russia has been inadequate, describing the reliance on Russian oil purchases by some alliance members as "shocking," which undermines their negotiating power. He attributed the war's continuation to the actions of his political opponents, including President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while notably absolving Russian President Vladimir Putin of responsibility for the conflict, as reported by South China Morning Post and TRT Global.

Beijing has reacted to Trump's threats, warning against "unilateral actions" that could impact Chinese economic interests. The Chinese government contends that it promotes peace and has not provided lethal support to Ukraine, urging restraint from Western nations pursuing sanctions against its economic activities, according to South China Morning Post.

Additionally, Trump's administration has indicated that it may impose secondary sanctions targeting nations like China and India if they continue to purchase oil from Russia. During discussions with G7 finance ministers, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent supported measures that would include tariffs on goods purchased from nations that are still buying Russian oil, implying a need for a united front to diminish the financial resources fueling the conflict, as detailed by Indiatimes and TRT Global.

Trump's proposed tariffs could also act as a leverage against countries that have not aligned with the full economic sanctioning of Russia. He has already placed an additional 25% tariff on goods from India for purchasing Russian oil. As the G7 continues to seek effective measures to isolate Russia economically, the conflict's escalation has prompted NATO allies to reinforce their military presence in Eastern Europe, responding to increasing tensions in the region, according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.