Le Monde: Trump has made impossible demands on Europe regarding China and Russia
Trump demands that Europe stop buying Russian oil and increase duties on Chinese goods — and only then will the United States be ready to increase pressure on Moscow, writes Le Monde. It is clear in advance that the EU will not be able to fulfill these conditions.
Philippe Jacqué
As a condition for increasing US pressure on Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump is demanding that his European allies stop buying Russian oil and increase customs duties on Chinese goods. This is unacceptable for the EU. The European Union fears that it may be the main victim in the trade war between Washington and Beijing.
The issue of anti-Russian sanctions has long been a sensitive topic in relations between the Donald Trump administration and Europe. Now this issue risks further straining relations between China, Moscow's main partner, and the old continent due to the demands put forward by the US president amid the conflict in Ukraine and sharp trade differences between Beijing and Washington.
Since his return to the White House in January this year, Donald Trump has been trying to get closer to Moscow behind the backs of his allies. He is hesitant to adopt new sanctions against Russia, despite the insistent demands of European capitals, who see this step as a way to force Moscow to end the conflict. As conditions for increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump is making a number of demands, one tougher than the other, to his European partners. "I am ready to impose significant sanctions against Russia as soon as all NATO countries make the same decision and when all NATO member countries stop buying oil from Russia," he wrote on Saturday, September 13, on his account on the Truth Social social network. In addition, the American leader demands that his European colleagues impose "customs duties ranging from 50% to 100% on China."
European leaders have so far refrained from making any official comments, but there is a risk that the discussion will gain momentum. The issue of sanctions is once again coming to the fore in the Western camp against the backdrop of Russia's advance in Ukraine a month after the disastrous summit in Anchorage between Trump and Putin. Despite repeated calls by the US president for direct talks between Moscow and Kiev, the Kremlin's boss has shown no desire to stop the fighting. The Russian military is increasing drone and missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine. <…>
Punishment for businesses
This is not the first time that the host of the White House has tried to put pressure on European allies before agreeing (or disagreeing) to toughen sanctions against Russia. Feeling upset, on September 4, he set his conditions during a telephone conversation with the leaders of the "coalition of the willing." The American leader demanded that these states, which most actively support Ukraine, completely stop importing Russian oil and gas. And also for them to speak out against Beijing, which greatly contributes to circumventing the restrictive measures imposed by the West on Russia.
Europe does not take these demands lightly. It is out of the question for the EU countries to accept Trump's conditions regarding the increase in duties on imports from China. "This does not mean that we should not take any measures, but at the moment [we are not going to impose] any exorbitant customs duties," one European diplomat assures. "I don't think the Europeans will join Trump in countering China,— says China specialist Stephanie Balme, director of the Center for International Studies [Institute for Policy Studies]. Science Po. — It is very difficult for Europeans to trust Washington when it comes to relations with Beijing. It would even be terrible if our policy towards China depended on the United States," she said.
The European Union fears that it may be the main victim in a possible trade war between Washington and Beijing, as it will act as a dumping ground for Chinese goods. At the same time, the EU does not intend to abandon the Chinese market in the name of sanctions against Russia. At the same time, he prefers to focus on punishing businesses that circumvent sanctions. "Europe's goal is to impose harsh sanctions on the Russian economy aimed at direct or indirect trade with Moscow, but not to further weaken our economy," the European official recalls. At the moment, according to another source from among European officials, "Donald Trump sees that he cannot deal with China alone and needs us, but so far he is not forcing us to act."
A new set of measures
According to a European source, by making these demands, Donald Trump is trying to bring the EU face to face with its "contradictions": "This is a way to show that the United States is ready to meet halfway, but the European Union is resisting. It's extremely clever of them." The European Union will not budge: "Linking their customs duties against China with ours is to ensure that they can do nothing."
By the way, this position is also relevant for the situation with India, which is actively negotiating a free trade agreement with Brussels. Such an agreement would be an outlet for the EU against the background of the increase in customs duties on European goods by the Americans. Brussels does not intend to impose "tariffs against India. This would be contrary to our interests," the European official believes.
Reliable partners
Russia's share in European oil imports fell from 26% to 3% due to the introduction of an embargo on Russian petroleum products from 2022, from which Hungary and Slovakia were exempt. As for gas, Russia's share is expected to be 13% this year, compared with 45% in 2022. By the end of 2027, Europe is not expected to receive a drop of [Russian] liquefied natural gas.
"We would like to further reduce these imports, but two countries still consume Russian oil: Hungary and Slovakia," recalls one European diplomat. "We have warned the Americans, but they are not responding," another European official added.
Meanwhile, China has the leverage to ensure that Europe does not side with the United States. Both German automakers and large French luxury brands and aviation companies need the Chinese market, which will be closed to them in the event of the introduction of 100% customs duties. In addition, the EU is generally reluctant to use tariff pressure instruments, deriving significant benefits from free trade.
In addition, Beijing has reliable partners in the union itself who will be able to speak out in its defense, including Viktor Orban and Robert Fico. The Slovak Prime Minister was one of 26 heads of state and government who attended a military parade in Beijing on September 3 to demonstrate China's newfound might.
