Trump's Tariffs on India May Have Influenced Putin's Decision for Ukraine Talks
US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that his recent decision to levy additional tariffs on India might have influenced Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to participate in high-level discussions in Alaska this week regarding the Ukraine conflict.
During an appearance on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump explained that these measures effectively prevented India from purchasing oil from Russia, emphasizing that India had been Russia's second-largest buyer of crude oil.
"Certainly, when you lose your second-largest customer and you’re probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role," Trump stated.
The upcoming meeting in Alaska, set for August 15, is expected to be scrutinized in India, which is currently dealing with escalating trade tensions with the United States. Last week, the White House announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the overall tariff to 50% as a response to India's ongoing purchases of Russian oil.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned that further secondary tariffs against India could be considered depending on the outcomes of the Alaska discussions. "If things don’t go well, sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," Bessent mentioned on Bloomberg TV.
The Trump administration has accused India of indirectly financing Russia's military actions in Ukraine. India, however, has dismissed these allegations, describing the tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," and has defended its energy imports as crucial for its national security.
Trade discussions between the US and India stalled earlier this month after Trump halted talks over the issue of Russian oil. Negotiations are slated to resume on August 25 in New Delhi, just before the increased tariff rate comes into effect. Nonetheless, India's firm stance on safeguarding its agriculture and dairy sectors remains a significant hurdle.
Trump expressed hope that the Alaska meeting could initiate a process leading toward a peace agreement in Ukraine. While he acknowledged that an immediate ceasefire might not be achieved, he suggested that a subsequent round of discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could follow, focusing on "boundaries, lands, etc."
"I’m not going to negotiate their deal. I’m going to let them negotiate their deal," Trump noted, highlighting that the Alaska talks were "set up like a chess game" and could chart the course for resolving the conflict.
