US Senators Ready to Back 500% Trump Tariffs on China Over Russian Oil
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on October 15 that approximately 85 senators are prepared to support authorizing President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on China for purchasing Russian oil.
At a press conference, Bessent indicated that 85 senators are poised to grant President Trump the authority to levy tariffs of up to 500 percent on China for its purchases of Russian oil.
Bessent indicated that Trump has instructed the US ambassador to notify European allies that the United States is prepared to support tariffs on China for purchasing Russian oil if European partners comply.
Trump Says India Will Halt Russian Oil Purchases
According to reports from The Times of India, CNN, and other media outlets, US President Trump stated on October 15 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him during a conversation that day that India would cease purchasing Russian oil.
Trump told reporters during a joint press conference with FBI Director Patel in the Oval Office that he was unhappy with India's purchase of Russian oil, adding that Modi assured him today that India would not buy oil from Russia. Trump also called this a major step forward.
Later in his remarks, Trump added that it was now time for China to take similar action.
India and Russia Respond
On October 16, India stated that it would prioritize the interests of Indian consumers in the energy sector, emphasizing that safeguarding consumer interests has always been its top priority amid volatile energy conditions. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement that its import policy is entirely guided by this objective.
AFP reported that New Delhi neither confirmed nor denied a shift in its policy on purchasing Russian oil.
On the same day, Russia responded with confidence that its energy cooperation with India would continue. Kremlin spokesperson and Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia primarily references official statements from India regarding energy procurement and will assess the situation accordingly.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Response
On October 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference.
A reporter asked: US President Trump stated yesterday that he had received assurances from Indian Prime Minister Modi that India would cease purchasing oil from Russia. Trump added in his remarks that it was now time for China to take similar action. Is China's purchase of Russian oil part of the ongoing Sino-US trade negotiations? What is China's position on this matter?
Lin Jian stated that China has repeatedly made clear its position on this issue. China's normal economic, trade, and energy cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia, is legitimate and lawful. The US approach constitutes typical unilateral bullying and economic coercion, severely undermining international economic and trade rules and threatening the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.
Lin Jian emphasized that China has consistently upheld an objective and impartial stance on the Ukraine crisis, acting with integrity and transparency, as is evident to all. He stated that China firmly opposes the US habit of constantly bringing up China in every matter, and firmly opposes the indiscriminate imposition of illegal unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction against China. If China's legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will resolutely take countermeasures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, development, and security interests.