Key Points
- Former US President Donald Trump escalated his economic strategy on August 7, 2025, warning of “a lot more” secondary sanctions after imposing steep tariffs on Indian imports.
- Trump’s comments suggest China could also face similar penalties aimed at nations buying Russian oil, intensifying global trade tensions.
- The US recently doubled tariffs on most Indian goods to 50% in response to India’s continued energy trade with Russia.
- These moves are part of Trump’s broader push to sever global economic ties with Russia amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Markets, diplomats, and analysts worldwide are closely monitoring the potential fallout, as secondary sanctions could disrupt major trade flows and global energy markets.
Washington D.C.: In a significant escalation of US trade policy, former President Donald Trump has openly hinted that China could soon face tough secondary sanctions, just days after hitting India with unprecedented 50% tariffs in retaliation for its continued imports of Russian oil. During a White House briefing, Trump said, “You’re going to see a lot more… so much secondary sanctions,” emphasizing that these measures could soon target “a couple of others… one of them could be China”.
India First, China Next?
The move came only hours after the US slapped an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total to 50% the highest America currently levies on any major trading partner. Officials clarified these penalties are closely tied to India’s persistence in sourcing Russian energy products, defying Western calls to isolate Moscow.
Responding to questions about whether China could face similar treatment, Trump said, “It may happen… I can’t tell you yet. We did it with India and we’re doing it probably with a couple of others”. Citing national security and foreign policy imperatives, he instructed top US officials to monitor global trade with Russia and recommend further action as needed.
Global and Diplomatic Repercussions
Trump’s new wave of secondary sanctions tariffs on countries trading with Russian oil aims to further cripple Moscow’s war economy by pressuring third-party buyers to sever ties with Russia. China, the largest buyer of Russian crude (accounting for 47% of Russian oil exports), now faces the prospect of similar tariffs, raising alarms in international economic and diplomatic circles about a potential global trade war.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called the US’s measures “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” pledging to safeguard national interests amid rising costs and uncertainty. Chinese officials, meanwhile, reaffirmed their right to secure energy supplies based on their own national priorities, warning that escalation “will have no winners”.
Skyrocketing Stakes for Global Markets
Analysts warn that these secondary sanctions could destabilize already fragile global energy markets, with ripple effects on oil prices, supply chains, and geopolitical alliances. Trump’s approach, targeting two of Russia’s biggest trading partners at once, represents a significant gamble both economically and diplomatically.
As the international community braces for more sanctions and potentially historic shifts in global trade, observers note that Trump’s signals may force major economies to recalibrate their strategies or risk costly showdowns with Washington.
The world now watches closely to see if and when Trump’s threat against China will materialize, and what it means for the future of global diplomacy and economic cooperation.
