Even as a fierce legal battle rages over his authority to impose tariffs, President Donald Trump is proposing a dramatic expansion of his trade war, asking the European Union to join him in targeting India and China. The plan calls for joint duties of up to 100% on the two countries to force Russia’s hand in the Ukraine conflict. The proposal was made this week to EU sanctions chief David O’Sullivan.
The domestic legal situation is perilous for the administration. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could strip the president of his tariff-setting powers after lower courts consistently ruled against him. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has acknowledged that a loss would be “terrible for the treasury,” triggering tens of billions of dollars in refunds.
Despite this high-stakes legal uncertainty, the White House is pushing for an even more aggressive tariff policy. The move is driven by frustration with the stalled Ukraine peace process and by Russia’s ongoing military campaign. A US official confirmed the administration is “ready to go” but is making its action contingent on the EU’s participation.
This strategy aims to disrupt the economic support network that has allowed Russia to weather Western sanctions, a network in which India and China are key players. The US has already acted unilaterally against India with a 50% tariff hike. Now, it seeks a powerful coalition to amplify that pressure on a global scale.