US Treasury chief says Europe declined to join secondary tariffs on India and China for Russian oil purchases

During an appearance on a journalist at one outlet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused European countries of declining a US proposal to levy secondary tariffs on India and China for purchasing Russian oil, arguing that the United States should not bear the pressure on Moscow alone. He recalled that the Trump administration had sought coordinated action in the spring, but European allies refused. Bessent highlighted that Europe continues to import substantial Russian energy, citing over $8 billion in shipments to several European nations in the first half of the year.

He explained that President Trump temporarily waived parts of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, allowing a 60-day review of potential sanctions and tariffs. While defending the pause, Bessent stressed that no sanctions were lifted and pointed to previous US measures against Rosneft and Lukoil. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also supported the review period, noting the need to consider global economic effects and other energy-related conflicts. The discussion also touched on criticism from Indian-American lawmakers and the broader question of Ukraine's status as a US ally.