Having found that traditional sanctions are not a ‘silver bullet’ to stop Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump is now searching for a more powerful weapon. His latest idea is a massive, coordinated tariff assault on Russia’s key allies, India and China, a move he hopes will finally provide the decisive blow needed to end the war in Ukraine.
The current sanctions regime has damaged the Russian economy but has not been sufficient to halt its military machine, thanks in large part to continued trade with nations like India and China. This reality has fueled frustration in the White House and a search for more extreme measures.
The proposal for 100% tariffs, made to the EU, is the result of that search. It represents a shift in strategy from a war of attrition to a shock-and-awe economic campaign designed to cause a rapid crisis for Putin’s partners. The US has signaled it is ready to launch this campaign but wants European allies in the trenches with them.
This search for a silver bullet is fraught with danger. The new weapon could easily backfire, hurting the US and global economies more than it hurts Russia. Furthermore, its legality is in doubt, with the Supreme Court poised to deliver a verdict that could disarm Trump before he even gets a chance to fire.
