Trump announces new sanctions for Russia oil buyers, also against China

Trump announces new sanctions for Russia oil buyers, also against China

President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that further punishments are pending for countries that buy Russian energy products after indicating a inches had imposed, which should come into force on Thursday. "You will see a lot more. This is just a foretaste," he said in the Oval Office. "You will see a lot more. There will be so many secondary sanctions."

strategy against Russia

This measure is part of Trump's ambitious project to weaken the Russian economy due to the war in Ukraine. He had set a deadline until Friday so that Russian President Vladimir Putin Peace closes before he imposes economic punishments. Putin's war machinery did not stop earlier round of US sanctions, including under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.

tariffs as a means of choice

The strategy marks an escalation in Trump's use of tariffs, its characteristic means for the second term. So far, he has used tariffs to advance a comprehensive agenda, from the protection of the US industry to pressure on foreign governments in relation to political decisions. However, these “secondary tariffs” are used to make third countries before choosing: to risk relating to a US opponent or further punishments.

China's role in the energy sector

The largest buyer of Russian energy is China with whom Trump works on a new trade agreement. US officials reported considerable progress in these negotiations. Nevertheless, Trump did not rule out the new secondary sanctions against Beijing, despite the possibility that this could endanger the trade talks. "One of them could be China," he said. "It could happen. I don't know. I can't tell you yet."

China's attitude to the sanctions

China previously said that "energy supply measures will take that are appropriate for China in accordance with our national interests." Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a press conference last week: "Customs wars have no winners. Problems cannot solve problems. China will determine his own sovereignty, security and development interests."

India's reaction to the customs increases

The USA and China are still working to extend a trading talent that slow down the three -digit tariffs, which is due to expire on August 12th. China's exports accelerated from this impending period and exceeded expectations with growth of 7.2% in July compared to the previous year - faster than 5.8% in June.

Trump's threats to secondary tariffs have increased the tensions between Washington and another important trading partner. The US President announced comprehensive and significant tariffs on India on Wednesday, which means that the punishments that were imposed on the fifth largest economy in the world are among the highest ones that have ever raised the United States.

In addition to the customs of 25%, which came into force on Thursday, Trump also announced another custom of 25% in India, which will come into force later this month as a punishment for importing Russian oil and gas.

India reacted to Trump's customs escalation and defended his purchases of Russian oil. "We have already clarified our position on these questions, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and are carried out with the overarching goal of ensuring the energetic security of 1.4 billion people in India," said the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the United States decides to impose additional tariffs on India for measures that also take several other countries in their own national interest."