Russian Oil: US Urges G7 to Impose Tariffs on India & China

United States has called on fellow G7 nations to impose tariffs on countries purchasing oil from Russia, warning that only a united front can choke off the revenue fueling Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

The appeal came during a virtual meeting on September 12, 2025, where Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, and Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative, joined a call with G7 Finance Ministers. The session was chaired by François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance and National Revenue, as part of Canada’s rotating G7 presidency.

Russian Oil: A Push for Unified Economic Pressure

“During today’s call with G7 Finance Ministers, Secretary Bessent reiterated Donald Trump’s call to our G7 partners that, if they are truly committed to ending the war in Ukraine, they should join the United States in imposing tariffs on countries purchasing oil from Russia,” the United States Department of the Treasury said in a statement.

The statement did not name any country directly, but U.S. officials have often accused India and China of continuing to buy Russian crude. Washington believes this trade helps Moscow evade Western sanctions and sustain its military campaign.

“Only with a unified effort that cuts off the revenues funding Putin’s war machine at the source will we be able to apply sufficient economic pressure to end the senseless killing,” Bessent and Greer said jointly.

Tariffs Strain U.S.–India Trade Ties

The U.S. has already doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, which includes an additional 25% duty specifically tied to India’s Russian oil purchases. Government of India has slammed the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing that its energy imports are driven solely by national interest and market dynamics.

This escalation has cast a shadow over the India–U.S. bilateral trade agreement talks. Five rounds of negotiations have been completed since March 2025, but the sixth round—originally scheduled for last month—was deferred by the U.S. after the tariff hike. Both countries had aimed to finalize the first phase of the pact by fall 2025, but that timeline now looks uncertain.

Russian Oil: G7 Weighs New Sanctions and Asset Seizures

In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Champagne cited “Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance, including recent bombings in Ukraine and Wednesday’s violation of Poland airspace by Russian drones” as reasons for convening the G7 meeting.

He said the G7 ministers agreed to speed up plans to use immobilised Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine’s defence and recovery. “Canada, as part of its G7 Presidency, remains committed to working closely with G7 allies to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine’s long-term security and recovery,” Champagne added.

Bessent and Greer welcomed these commitments, noting that stronger sanctions and creative use of frozen Russian funds could further tighten the economic vise around the Kremlin.

Trump Defends Tariff Move on India

Speaking to Fox News on Fox and Friends, President Trump defended his hardline approach. “Look, India was their biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do. That’s a big deal and it causes a rift with India,” he said.

Despite the diplomatic friction, Washington insists the tariffs are necessary to force Moscow to the negotiating table. U.S. officials maintain that G7 solidarity is vital to cut off the financial lifeline sustaining Russia’s war.

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