Trump says his India tariffs caused ‘big blow’ to Russia

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has claimed that recently imposed tariffs on India over its continued purchases of Russian oil have significantly hurt Moscow. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said telling one of Russia’s largest oil buyers that the US would levy a 50% tariff was “a big blow” to the Russian economy, adding that no previous president had been “so tough.”

The remarks come days before Trump’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Last week, the US announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, doubling the rate to 50%, with the measures set to take effect on August 27. The White House cited India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia as the reason for the increase.

Trump claimed that Russia’s economy “is not doing well” due to these pressures, despite its “tremendous potential.” New Delhi has denounced the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” pledging to safeguard its national interests. Meanwhile, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defending his country’s rights, warning that the US would learn it “can’t kick India around.”

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