Trump threatens steep tariffs on China, criticizes NATO allies in new Truth Social post

US President Donald Trump warned of potential “100% tariffs” on certain Chinese imports and criticized European NATO members for what he described as insufficient contributions to collective defense in his recent post on social media platform Truth Social on Sep 14.

In the post, Trump said, “I believe that this, plus Nato , as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.”

"China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip, he stressed further.

Trump addressed NATO members and "the world", saying, "I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all Nato nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all Nato Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA. As you know, Nato's commitment to win has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia."

The post did not include any direct threat of military action or outline a formal policy proposal. Analysts note that the statements signal a tougher stance on both trade and NATO contributions, reflecting Trump’s continued focus on American economic and security interests abroad.

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing debates within NATO about equitable defense spending. The alliance’s guideline calls for members to allocate at least 2% of their gross domestic product to defense, but several European countries have fallen short of this target, drawing criticism from US officials in the past.

Earlier, Washington criticized India for purchasing Russian oil, with aides labeling the country “the Kremlin’s laundromat.”

The optics of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen engaging closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping intensified US concerns about India leaning toward Moscow and Beijing.

By sparing India and concentrating on China, Trump signals a recalibrated U.S. strategy: maintaining India’s partnership while confronting China over its economic ties to Moscow, seeking to break what he calls China’s “grip” on Russia.