Mon Sep 15 23:16:00 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text:**
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the U.S. will not impose further tariffs on Chinese goods related to Russian oil purchases unless European countries impose significant tariffs on China and India as well. He criticized European countries for indirectly funding the war in Ukraine through purchases of Russian oil and refined petroleum products from India. Bessent also indicated that tariffs on Indian goods had led to positive discussions and further talks are planned. He proposed exploring steeper sanctions on Russian entities and utilizing frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
**News Article:**
**U.S. Demands European Action on Russian Oil, Hints at Thaw in India Relations**
**MADRID – September 16, 2025:** The United States is holding back on further tariffs targeting China for its Russian oil purchases, demanding that European nations take a more assertive stance by imposing their own significant duties on both China and India. This announcement came from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a press briefing in Madrid on Monday.
Bessent criticized some European countries for continuing to fund Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil directly or indirectly through refined products from India. He emphasized that the Trump administration will not move forward with additional tariffs on Chinese goods unless Europe imposes substantial duties on countries buying Russian oil. President Trump has been urging tariffs of 50% to 100% on China and India,
“We expect the Europeans to do their share now, and we are not moving forward without the Europeans,” Bessent stated.
He suggested that significant European tariffs could cripple Moscow’s primary revenue source and potentially end the conflict within months. Bessent revealed that the existing tariffs on Indian goods had spurred progress in talks between Washington and New Delhi, with a new round of discussions scheduled for Tuesday. This comes amidst a noticeable improvement in the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
Looking ahead, the U.S. is also open to collaborating with European countries on stricter sanctions against Russian oil giants and exploring ways to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. This could involve either seizing small portions of the $300 billion or using them as collateral for a loan to Ukraine.
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