Trump Puts Pressure on the EU to Impose Tariffs
Earlier this week Donald Trump put pressure on the European Union to impose tariffs on goods from China and India, linking the move to sanctions against Russia and the war in Ukraine. The proposal puts the EU in a difficult position, as its industries depend heavily on critical minerals from China and face potential fallout.
September 14, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
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Pressures the EU into sanctions
The American president plans to impose sanctions on Russia in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. He is therefore urging the EU to introduce tariffs on goods from India and China as punishment for their continued purchases of Russian oil and gas. India has already been subjected to a 50% tariff from the USA, including a 25% penalty tariff specifically for buying Russian oil. China faces tariffs of up to 145% and has responded with retaliatory tariffs of up to 125%. Trump has set a new deadline in November to reach a lasting trade agreement with China.
Problematic for the EU
For the EU, imposing tariffs on Chinese imports would be extremely challenging, as the bloc relies on China for around 80% of the minerals used in its industries, including the defense sector.
China is expected to retaliate with further restrictions on critical minerals — a practice they have employed for decades to maintain their near-monopoly. They continue to supply Russia with large quantities of minerals for weapons production, while rationing supplies to Western arms manufacturers that support Ukraine.
India, by contrast, has limited production of critical minerals, but has discovered major lithium reserves equal to one-fifth of the world’s resources. These are now being developed and could result in significant production within three years. High tariffs on India would not only affect Russia but also damage India’s economy and restrict its access to capital for mineral development.
Sanctions will support Trump's strategy
To many, Trump may appear unpredictable, but this move aligns closely with his broader strategy to reclaim both global trade and geopolitical power from China. By urging the EU to impose tariffs on goods from China and India, Trump aims to achieve three objectives:
To pressure Russia into a peace agreement in Ukraine, under which the USA would secure rights to 50% of the minerals.
To force the EU to choose sides between the global powers China and the USA in both the trade war and the struggle over mineral resources.
To cement the USA’s position as NATO’s sole leader, since Europe lacks sufficient mineral resources on its own continent to produce the defense equipment necessary for self-protection.
In accordance with CNBC, as of Wednesday the European Commission could not disclose details in then matter due to the need for confidentiality.
Relevant for Norway
As of today, no Norwegian media or politicians have discussed the matter. What we do know is that the Labour government has chosen the EU's side by planning to introduce the EU's minerals regulation, the CRMA. This is imminent, unless the new composition of the Storting will stop a rapid introduction of the regulation, which would give the EU control over Norwegian mineral resources.
The alternative for Norway is to conclude a minerals and arms agreement directly with the US in order to secure defence security against Russia. The EU does not have access to enough minerals for weapons production, including the Norwegian ones, to be able to defend Norway.
You can read more about this situation in The Mineral Petition.
SOURCES
Reuters
Trade war with ChinaIndia Briefing
India Critical MineralsSociety and Politics
Sovereignty over Norwegian minerals
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