It looks like the truce is over. President Donald Trump has again pushed his tariff strategy against China, saying Europe could end the Ukraine war if it imposed sanctions on Beijing. He asserted that China is "the biggest buyer of Russian oil by far."

In an interview with Fox News, when asked, "Did you tell UK PM Starmer that Europe should put sanctions on India and China too?" Trump highlighted his administration's tariff measures.

He called the United States' imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on India a "big step" and on China he said, "Well, if they put sanctions on China the Ukraine war would end. China is the biggest buyer of Russian oil by far and I think they have other powers over Russia too."

READ: EU ready to retaliate with 30% tariffs in response to Trump (

U.S.-China trade tensions remain high this year with the United States maintaining tariffs of up to 30% on a broad range of Chinese imports. These tariffs continue to significantly curb Chinese exports to the U.S., disrupting supply chains and increasing costs for American businesses and consumers. In addition, the U.S. ended the "de minimis" exemption in August, which previously allowed low-value imports under $800 to enter duty-free, tightening controls on smaller shipments from China.

In retaliation, China has imposed tariffs ranging from 15% to 25% on approximately $22 billion worth of U.S. goods, targeting key sectors such as energy and agriculture. Diplomatic efforts continue, with talks planned between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping focusing on trade issues and the future of Chinese companies like TikTok in the U.S. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are pushing for stricter measures, including restricting Chinese airlines' landing rights unless China restores access to critical rare earth minerals.

Trump reportedly admitted that he had hoped to broker a breakthrough with his "good relationship" with Putin but acknowledged the Russian leader had failed to deliver.

"The one that I thought would be easiest would be because of my relationship with (Russia's) President Putin, but he's let me down, he's really let me down. It was going to be Russia and Ukraine, but we'll see how that turns out," he said.

This renewed tariff strategy signals increased pressure on China and India, aiming to curb their economic ties with Russia, particularly in energy imports. For China, continued U.S. tariffs and sanctions risk further disrupting trade and technological cooperation, potentially slowing its economic growth and straining its global supply chains. India, now facing significant tariffs, may also encounter challenges balancing its strategic partnerships while navigating U.S. economic pressures.

For Russia, these measures aim to weaken its financial lifelines amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, especially the war in Ukraine. However, the resilience of China and India as major trading partners complicates efforts to isolate Russia completely. The evolving dynamics highlight a multipolar world where economic sanctions and tariffs serve as tools of geopolitical influence but also carry risks of retaliation and shifting alliances.