Source: Sharecast
According to multiple reports, including by the BBC and Financial Times, the US president wants Brussels and America to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the two countries for their energy imports for Russia.
The unprecedented demand was made following a late night call between American and European officials on Tuesday.
The FT quoted an unnamed US official as saying: "We’re ready to go, ready to go right now, but we’re only going to do this if our European partners step up with us."
Another official said: "The president came on this morning and his view is that the obvious approach here is, let’s all put on dramatic tariffs and keep the tariffs on until the Chinese agree to stop buying the oil. There really aren’t many other places that oil can go."
During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.
However, all attempts by the White House to secure an end to the fighting have so far failed. Moscow has also stepped up drone attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.
Myriad sanctions on the country, imposed after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, have significantly reduced the market for its oil and gas.
However, Moscow has found willing customers outside of the west, including India and China, and ties remain strong between the countries.
Earlier this month, president Vladimir Putin further cemented the relationship when he met with Indian prime minister Narenda Modi and Chinese premier Xi Jinping at a showpiece summit in China.
In August, the US increased tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, inflaming tensions between the two countries, in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
However, Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday evening that trade negotiations with the country were continuing.
Trump separately also told reporters that he expected to speak with the Russian president "this week or early next week".
