Trump says U.S. sanctions on Russia hinge on NATO ending oil imports and China facing high tariffs.

Photo by Nahi Khabar 24/7 – via Personal Collection

Donald Trump has announced that he will only move forward with imposing new sanctions on Russia if all NATO member states agree to stop purchasing Russian oil. Alongside this demand, he is calling for tariffs of 50% to 100% on China for its continued purchases of Russian petroleum.

Trump made these conditions clear in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he described the import of Russian oil by NATO countries as “shocking” and asserted that such purchases undermine the alliance’s ability to effectively pressure Moscow over the Ukraine war.

“I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote.
He added that imposing powerful tariffs on China, and withdrawing them once the Ukraine war ends, could significantly weaken what he calls China’s “grip” over Russia. 

Reactions and Challenges

• Several NATO members, including Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia, continue to import Russian oil, citing energy dependency, cost issues, or lack of alternatives. This makes the proposed demand for a total oil import ban politically and economically sensitive. 
• European countries are wary of triggering sharp rises in energy prices or supply disruptions if Russian oil is cut off abruptly. Analysts say any move to enforce such an embargo must factor in energy security and economic stability.
• China has not yet made a definitive public response, but as a major buyer of Russian energy, it could face substantial impacts from a tariff regime of the magnitude proposed. 

Implications

• If implemented, this strategy could realign international trade flows, with Russia seeking alternate buyers and suppliers, possibly increasing its reliance on nations outside NATO’s influence.
• The proposal amplifies pressure on NATO nations to come into alignment, but the internal economic and political cost may prevent full compliance.
• The relationship between the U.S., China, and NATO allies could become more strained, particularly if tariffs are enacted aggressively.

What’s Next

• Whether formal sanctions will be enacted by the U.S. will depend on NATO’s response and whether member states are willing to end oil purchases.
• Monitoring will likely increase from both U.S. agencies and international partners to see how China and other oil-importing nations react.
• Potential countermeasures or diplomatic responses from Russia or those NATO countries impacted may amplify geopolitical tensions.