Trump’s 50% Solution to Russ-Uke Peace

Letter to Ephesians: While Trump cleverly targeted the Russian war machine in Ukraine by imposing a 50% tariff on India’s purchases of Russian oil fueling it, the obvious question is “why is China spared?” in the push for peace.

The WSJ editorial board was also scratching it’s collective heads in its op ed, “Trump Targets Russia via India.” They wondered: “President Trump wants at long last to raise the pressure on Russia for a cease-fire in Ukraine ... and ... he [finally] threatened India with a 50% tariff if it keeps buying Russian oil. The puzzle is why the President is so far giving China a pass, though Beijing buys more Russian oil than does New Dehli.” Meanwhile, it should be noted that Putin is AGAIN “suggesting” bilateral talks to end the Ukraine “might” be possible and that a face to face feeting between the two leaders may be in the offiing – it might even be ok if Ukraine’s Zelensky was kept abreast of those impending talks.

Frankly, rather than a significant step toward a lasting peace, it sounds too much like the Russian is playing out his never ending rope a dope stall tactic yet again. We’ll see of course. A 50% tariff on China’s Russkie oil purchases might help the push for peace. A 50% tariff on Russia itself would be even more persuasive.

Davd Soul