US Treasury urges G7 to impose tariffs on Russian oil buyers

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on G7 countries to join the United States in imposing tariffs on nations that purchase oil from Russia, according to a statement from the Treasury Department cited by Caliber.Az.

During a phone call with G7 finance ministers, Bessent “reiterated President Trump’s call to our partners: if they are truly committed to ending the war in Ukraine, they should join the United States in imposing tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil.”

He added that “thanks to President Trump’s bold leadership, the United States has already taken decisive action against buyers of Russian oil” and expressed hope that the G7 would “join us in taking decisive action at this critical moment.”

Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamison Grigg welcomed G7 commitments to “increase sanctions pressure and explore the possibility of using frozen Russian state assets to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence,” the Treasury statement said.

Earlier in the day, a US Treasury spokesperson urged G7 and European Union allies to consider “meaningful tariffs” on goods from China and India to pressure them to stop purchasing Russian oil. President Trump has already imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India to curb New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude, bringing total punitive duties to 50% and straining trade talks. However, Trump has so far refrained from imposing new tariffs on Chinese imports, amid a delicate trade truce with Beijing.

Earlier, on September 12, President Trump expressed frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s failure to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking in a Fox News interview, Trump said his patience with Putin was running out and that sanctions on Russian banks and oil remained an option, emphasising that European countries also needed to participate. “We’re going to have to come down very, very strong,” Trump said.

By Tamilla Hasanova