Trade war

US pressure on G7: higher tariffs on China and India for Russian crude oil

Like the EU, however, a higher imposition of tariffs on China and India by Japan appears difficult, analysts say, given its close economic ties with the two countries

12 September 2025

2' min read

Key points

US ask Tokyo to impose new tariffs
China: Mexico thinks twice about tariffs on our cars

2' min read

The US will pressure G7 countries to hit China and India with higher tariffs for purchases of Russian oil. This was reported by the Financial Times citing sources, according to which a US proposal for new measures will be discussed at the videoconference scheduled for tomorrow 13 September 2025 between the G7 finance ministers.

"Russian oil purchases by China and India finance Putin's war machine and prolong the senseless killings. Earlier this week we told our European allies that if they are serious about ending the war they must join us and impose significant tariffs. The Trump administration is ready and our G7 partners must join us,' sources said.

According to rumours, the US has proposed levels for tariffs between 50% and 100%.

U.S. asks Tokyo to impose new tariffs

New US pressure on Japan and soon on the other G7 countries to impose higher tariffs on China and India as punishment for their continued oil purchases from Russia. The Kyodo news agency anticipates this, citing a US Treasury Department official, explaining that the Trump administration's new squeeze "is part of the strategy to end the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible".

"Our G7 partners must join us". Last month, Trump doubled tariffs on goods imported from India, which is one of Russia's main trading partners along with China. Like the European Union, however, a higher imposition of tariffs on China and India by Japan appears difficult, analysts say, given its close economic ties with the two countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tokyo at the end of August to meet with his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, with whom he agreed to intensify economic and security cooperation. The war in Ukraine led to a significant increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the US to Europe to compensate for the reduction in Russian supplies.

Russia, Trump: "Deluso da Modi, non mi piace ciò che sta facendo"

Among other initiatives under discussion between Washington and Tokyo, which leave observers perplexed, is support for an ambitious $44 billion pipeline project that would connect fields in northern Alaska to a port in the south, allowing US gas to be liquefied and exported to Asian markets.

Voci da Nuova Delhi: i dazi di Trump "irragionevoli e ingiustificati"

China: Mexico thinks twice about tariffs on our cars

China is issuing a harsh warning to Mexico, which is considering 50% tariffs on imports of its cars. The Ministry of Commerce urged the Central American country to 'think twice' before proceeding, making clear the Mandarin willingness to retaliate against an action seen as caving in to US pressure.

"Any unilateral increase in tariffs by Mexico, even within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, would be seen as an act of complacency and a compromise towards unilateral bullying," a spokesperson reported, asking Mexico for "extreme caution".