TOI correspondent from Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he is ready for major sanctions on Russia and China only when all Nato nations stop buying oil from Russia, conspicuously leaving out India from his new gambit amid indications that Washington and New Delhi are working towards a separate deal.
In a “Truth Social” post, Trump met criticism about why the itself US is not directly sanctioning Russia and China with a “you first” response, telling Nato allies, "I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when?”
"Nato’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! ... I believe that this, plus Nato, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR. China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,"Trump wrote.
"If Nato does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States,” he added.
The US President appears to be reeling back on putting the onus on India to help end the Russia-Ukraine war although earlier in the week he urged the European Union and G7 countries to hit China and India with tariffs of up to 100% over the countries’ Russia oil purchases. Trump’s cabinet and administration minions have also continued to unload on India on the matter even as New Delhi has pushed back strongly against what it sees as US and European duplicity in that they continue to feed Russia revenues while looking for other fall guys.
Critics have repeatedly called out US for its feckless approach in not taking on Russia and China directly, even as the Atlantic alliance — and even Ukraine — continues to trade with Moscow, often indirectly. While the US continues to berate India for Russian oil purchases, Turkey, EU, and allies like Japan and South Korea account for almost 30 percent of overall Russian energy purchases (including oil, LNG pipeline gas and coal) feeding billions into Moscow’s kitty. The US itself still accounts for 3-4 percent total Russian exports, mainly of fertilizers, metals (platinum/nickel), uranium, and some non-energy goods.
Trump's mention of only Russian oil was mystifying considering Washington’s Nato partners also buy Russian pipeline gas/LNG, metals (aluminum/steel), and fertilizers.
Nevertheless, his skirting of India in his Saturday morning missive, coming after his rather rueful admission that his tariffs on Indian goods caused a "rift" with INew Delhi, ignited speculation that the two sides are on track for a separate trade deal. Expectations have been heightened by the Adani Group banning vessels sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK from docking at its ports, a move that is expected to disrupt Russia's oil shipments to India.
In a “Truth Social” post, Trump met criticism about why the itself US is not directly sanctioning Russia and China with a “you first” response, telling Nato allies, "I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when?”
"Nato’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! ... I believe that this, plus Nato, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR. China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,"Trump wrote.
"If Nato does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States,” he added.
The US President appears to be reeling back on putting the onus on India to help end the Russia-Ukraine war although earlier in the week he urged the European Union and G7 countries to hit China and India with tariffs of up to 100% over the countries’ Russia oil purchases. Trump’s cabinet and administration minions have also continued to unload on India on the matter even as New Delhi has pushed back strongly against what it sees as US and European duplicity in that they continue to feed Russia revenues while looking for other fall guys.
Critics have repeatedly called out US for its feckless approach in not taking on Russia and China directly, even as the Atlantic alliance — and even Ukraine — continues to trade with Moscow, often indirectly. While the US continues to berate India for Russian oil purchases, Turkey, EU, and allies like Japan and South Korea account for almost 30 percent of overall Russian energy purchases (including oil, LNG pipeline gas and coal) feeding billions into Moscow’s kitty. The US itself still accounts for 3-4 percent total Russian exports, mainly of fertilizers, metals (platinum/nickel), uranium, and some non-energy goods.
Trump's mention of only Russian oil was mystifying considering Washington’s Nato partners also buy Russian pipeline gas/LNG, metals (aluminum/steel), and fertilizers.
Nevertheless, his skirting of India in his Saturday morning missive, coming after his rather rueful admission that his tariffs on Indian goods caused a "rift" with INew Delhi, ignited speculation that the two sides are on track for a separate trade deal. Expectations have been heightened by the Adani Group banning vessels sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK from docking at its ports, a move that is expected to disrupt Russia's oil shipments to India.
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