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Europe Must “Put Up or Shut Up” on Sanctions Against Russia, Says Bessent
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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“It is time for our European counterparts to put up or shut up,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in an interview with Fox News on August 14.
“They keep saying, ‘The US should do this, the US should do that.’ President Trump imposed secondary sanctions or secondary tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil, and the Europeans haven’t done this yet. As a matter of fact, Europeans are buying refined products that Indian refineries make,” Bessent continued.
“We need some coordination here. If we want to have a unified front, which will give President Trump maximum leverage, then I think our European counterparts need to do their part,” he stated.
Previously, it was reported that during a cabinet meeting at the White House Scott Bessent urged Europe to implement secondary tariffs on Russia if the US enacts its proposed legislation.
Speaking on CNBC, Bessent emphasized that, although the exact timeline remains unclear—whether it’s 10, 30, or 50 days—any country purchasing Russian oil under sanctions will face secondary tariffs of up to 100%.
Bessent has warned Chinese officials that continued purchases of sanctioned Russian oil could result in steep tariffs under a bill currently moving through Congress, Reuters reported, citing Bessent during US-China trade talks in Stockholm.
The Treasury Secretary explained that the proposed legislation would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries that continue to buy Russian oil subject to sanctions. He added that such measures could prompt US allies to take similar steps in order to reduce Russia’s energy revenues.
