Former President Donald Trump came under fire for all the wrong reasons for his coddling of Russia. His erratic deadlines for Moscow to de-escalate its aggression have gotten the most attention. As most astute observers have pointed out, two-week deadlines are practically a Trump trademark. Too often, he allows these moments to go by with little serious action. This situation has raised alarms about President Biden’s commitment to pursue accountability for Russia. With the war in Ukraine continuing to worsen, heightening these worries.
Trump’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a key point of concern and investigation for the public and Congress alike. He once referred to their relationship as “intimate.” This characterization has only amplified the criticism that he has not been aggressive enough in countering the threats posed by Russia. Earlier today, Trump signaled that the United States should prepare for new sanctions against Russia. He proposed a fairly extreme precondition: all NATO countries immediately cease purchases of Russian oil and apply tariffs on Chinese imports.
Sanctions and NATO’s Role
Trump’s proposed sanctions would cut off Russia’s primary revenue stream, something he says is key to being able to sustain Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Yet he made clear the urgency of presenting a united front among NATO allies before stepping forward.
“I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” – Donald Trump
Yet, despite these blusterous threats, as many a critic has written, Trump’s threats have not resulted from action. His failure to follow through on previous sanctions has left many frustrated, particularly in Ukraine, where officials are seeking immediate support from international allies.
Trump’s letter criticizing the current U.S. administration’s approach to Russia comes at a critical time for NATO. The alliance is increasing its resources, most notably with Operation Sentry on the eastern flank. This complex but crucial initiative will help prevent any future Russian aggression. Trump is right to demand that all NATO allies act in concert. That muddy the waters and have made it unclear if his threats would result in the imposition of new tariffs or a ban on importing Russian oil.
Trade Dynamics with China and India
Besides his Russia obsession there are other important parts of Trump’s legacy to U.S.-China trade relations. So this year, he went ahead and set a breathtaking 145 percent tariff on imports from China. In return, China slapped a retaliatory 125 percent levy on U.S. goods. Trump’s strategy appears aimed at weakening Beijing’s economic ties with Moscow, which he believes are detrimental to U.S. interests.
“I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended,” – Donald Trump
Earlier this year, Trump’s administration ramped up efforts targeting India, by slapping the country with an extra 25 percent import tax on its goods. This ruling follows India’s persistent imports of Russian energy commodities. As a result of this decision, the punitive tariffs on Indian products have now been pushed up to 50 percent. Consequently, it has poisoned bilateral trade talks between the two democracies.
The U.S. Trade Representative and Treasury Secretary to call five recent meetings with their counterparts from European and other countries. Together, they created a collaborative model to dry up the money that fuels Putin’s war machine. The strategy that Trump is using has brought a chorus of mixed reactions, including skepticism over whether his tactics will actually produce positive outcomes.
Domestic Concerns and Public Sentiment
Domestically, Trump’s handling of policy towards Russia has divided the political elite and broader public. Some 33 percent of respondents believe Trump too favorable to Moscow. This smacks of a growing concern over his catastrophic foreign policy preferences.
Critics argue that Trump’s reluctance to take firm action against Russia undermines NATO’s effectiveness and emboldens Putin’s regime. They argue that current oil purchases by four NATO members put their negotiating position and bargaining power against Russia at risk.
“NATO’s commitment to WIN (the Ukraine war) has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position and bargaining power over Russia.” – Donald Trump
