Trump pushes EU for 100% tariffs on India and China

(WASHINGTON) President Trump on Tuesday pressed the European Union to join the United States in imposing tariffs of up to 100% on imports from India and China, tying the demand to a broader effort to cut Russian oil revenue and force an end to the war in Ukraine.

The push came during a high-level meeting in Washington on September 9 that included senior U.S. and EU officials, with Ukraine’s prime minister joining the talks. Trump said, “We’re ready to go, ready to go right now, but we’re only going to do this if our European partners step up with us.” The proposal, if taken up by Europe and matched by Washington, would mark a sharp escalation in transatlantic trade policy with direct ripple effects on global migration, jobs, and student plans linked to India, China, and the EU.

At present, the plan is still a proposal. The EU has not committed to the new duties, and U.S. tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods remain at 50% and 30%, respectively. The White House has signaled it is prepared to mirror any EU action.

The political and legal stakes are high: the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether sweeping global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are lawful, with oral arguments set for early November 2025. That ruling could shape the future of these duties and the billions—if not trillions—of dollars in customs revenue that might follow a joint U.S.-EU move.

Who participated and why

• The talks included EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, State Department officials, and the U.S. Trade Representative.
• Trump tied the tariff push to frustration over Russia’s continued oil income despite earlier sanctions.
• The stated goal: push India and China to stop buying Russian crude, choking off a key revenue stream for Moscow’s war effort.

Analysts in Brussels note uncertainty about the political will in the European Parliament and among member states to carry out such a drastic measure amid inflation concerns and fragile supply chains.

“A united transatlantic tariff would send a clear message to Moscow but would test Europe’s ability to absorb economic pain at a delicate time.”

Why a tariff fight matters for migrants, students, and workers

Tariffs are a trade policy tool, not an immigration rule. Still, trade shocks often spill into hiring, wages, and family decisions. For the Indian and Chinese diasporas in the U.S. and Europe, tariffs up to 100% raise concrete concerns:

• Will employers freeze or delay hiring across sectors tied to India or China?
• Will consumer prices rise, squeezing student budgets and family remittances?
• Could companies rethink global roles that support H‑1B workers in the U.S. or the EU Blue Card and other skilled-permit programs?

Key channels to watch:

• Importers would pay much higher duties at the border, increasing costs on intermediate parts and finished goods tied to India and China.
• Companies with U.S. or EU operations could trim costs by slowing projects, delaying international transfers, or cutting travel and training for cross-border teams.
• Graduate students might face higher living costs if tariffs increase prices of everyday items, technology, and lab equipment.
• Family-run firms with supply lines linked to South or East Asia could face difficult choices on pricing, staffing, or seasonal hires.

None of this changes visa rules directly. But trade shocks and immigration choices often move together: job offers fund work visas, and corporate planning affects those offers. If tariffs take hold on both sides of the Atlantic, applicants should expect stricter employer budgeting and, in some cases, slower hiring for roles dependent on Indian or Chinese inputs.

What would happen next if the plan proceeds

If the plan moves forward, the rough sequence would be:

1. The EU and the United States announce coordinated tariff increases on imports from India and China.
2. Customs agencies begin collecting new duties of up to 100% at borders.
3. Companies adjust sourcing and pricing, pass some costs to buyers, and review staffing and contractor plans.
4. India and China could respond with countermeasures or diplomatic talks.
5. Legal challenges continue, and court rulings could alter the scope or duration of the measures.

The Supreme Court review is pivotal. A decision after the November arguments could limit—or greenlight—the legal basis for broad, emergency-driven tariffs. Readers who want to follow the case can use the official docket resources at the Supreme Court of the United States.

Politics, precedent, and recent history

• In April 2025, the administration raised tariffs on Chinese imports, then scaled them back in May after market backlash.
• India has faced secondary sanctions tied to Russian oil purchases; China has not been singled out in the same way.
• A bill with 85 Senate co-sponsors would allow secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia, but its future is unclear.
• Europe must weigh Ukraine’s needs and Russia’s revenue against risks to European factories, small businesses, and inflation.

The presence of Ukraine’s prime minister at the talks underscores how tightly the strategy is tied to the battlefield. If Europe joins the U.S., it would demonstrate a united front but could also trigger retaliation from trading partners and strain EU industries reliant on Indian and Chinese components.

Business and sectoral effects

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the tariff debate is already influencing corporate planning in sectors such as:

• Electronics
• Auto parts
• Chemicals

When companies shift orders or delay purchases, managers often revisit staffing and training budgets—affecting international assignments and immigrant workers who support cross-border teams.

Possible corporate responses:

• Some firms may bring high-skill roles onshore to build “tariff-proof” capacity (potentially helping some work‑visa applicants).
• Others may freeze hiring until costs stabilize, slowing sponsorship.
• Multinationals may speed up internal transfers to move production closer to customers, or pause transfers to limit exposure while re-mapping supply chains.

Impact on students, families, and migrants

• Students from India and China, who make up large shares of international cohorts in the U.S. and Europe, could face higher everyday expenses and more expensive lab equipment.
• Families dependent on remittances may feel strains if import-heavy businesses cut hours or slow seasonal work.
• For Ukrainian families abroad: a tariff that shortens the war could be beneficial, but if tariffs spark inflation, host countries may re-evaluate support budgets affecting housing and social services.

Checklist for people planning moves or affected by the changes:

• Ask employers how exposed your role is to imports from India or China and whether hiring plans will change if 100% tariffs appear.
• Build a budget cushion for higher prices on imported goods, including electronics and lab supplies.
• Students should consult financial aid offices about emergency funds or payment plans.
• Small business owners in diaspora communities should speak with customs brokers about tariff classifications and timing.
• Track legal developments, especially the Supreme Court case in November 2025, which could narrow or affirm the tariff tool the U.S. is using.

Risks, retaliation, and diplomatic dynamics

• India and China could respond by raising duties on U.S. or EU goods, imposing licensing delays, or tightening rules for foreign firms.
• That retaliation would increase uncertainty for workers tied to those markets, including staff on intra‑company transfers.
• If Europe does not join, the White House could still raise U.S. tariffs, but the political message would be weaker and supply chains could split across the Atlantic.
• If Europe joins, India and China will likely retaliate, and companies will rush to remap trade routes.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin adds diplomatic complexity. Delhi and Beijing might either close ranks or find bargaining space—both outcomes leave uncertainty for people with ties to those countries.

Bottom line and immediate facts

• The EU has not implemented the plan.
• Current U.S. tariffs stand at 50% for India and 30% for China.
• The Supreme Court will review the legal basis for global emergency tariffs, with oral arguments in November 2025 (Supreme Court of the United States).

A tariff wave would not change visa rules overnight, but it would alter the economic ground under many students, workers, and families. Europe’s next steps—bold, cautious, or delayed—will shape trade, migration‑linked employment decisions, and everyday costs for those with personal or professional ties to India and China.