US Tariffs on Indian Russian Oil Purchases Deal ‘Big Blow’ to Moscow: Trump
US President Trump says tariffs on India’s Russian oil purchases are hurting Moscow’s economy as he prepares for talks with Putin.
Ahead of Putin Talks, Trump Says Tariffs on India Hurt Russia’s ‘Struggling’ Economy
🇺🇸 WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that his 50% tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil are delivering a “big blow” to Moscow’s already struggling economy. The remarks come just days before his scheduled August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump described India as Russia’s largest or second-largest oil buyer, stressing that the tariffs are part of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine war. “When the President of the United States tells one of Russia’s biggest oil buyers we’re putting a 50% tariff on you, that’s a massive hit to their economy,” Trump said.
Breakdown of the Tariff Move
📊 Tariff Structure: 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods + additional 25% levy on Indian purchases of Russian oil = Total 50% duties.
🎯 Goal: Apply economic pressure on Russia while signalling to global markets that the U.S. is serious about restricting Moscow’s oil revenue.
🌍 Broader Impact: Part of a wider sanctions and trade measure network targeting countries engaged in Russian oil trade.
Russia’s Economic Struggles
Trump claimed the Russian economy is “not doing well”, attributing the decline to a mix of U.S. sanctions and tariffs on nations trading with Moscow. He added that Russia, despite being a “massive country with tremendous potential”, needs to refocus on domestic development rather than geopolitical conflicts.
Upcoming Trump–Putin Talks
Trump praised Putin’s decision to visit the U.S. rather than hold talks in Russia or a neutral country. He expects “constructive conversations” during the meeting, though the Ukraine war will dominate discussions.
Importantly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be present at this round of talks. However, Trump expressed intent to eventually bring Zelenskyy and Putin to the same table, possibly with himself as a mediator. “I’d like to see a ceasefire… the best deal that could be made for both parties,” he noted.
Next Steps
Following his meeting with Putin, Trump plans to consult European leaders to coordinate future diplomatic and economic measures. The sequence of engagements signals Washington’s effort to consolidate Western pressure on Moscow while exploring peace negotiation pathways.
