Lagatar24 Desk
Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that the 50% tariff imposed on Indian goods, linked to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, has dealt a significant blow to Russia’s already struggling economy. Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump said Russia should focus on rebuilding its nation, as it has immense potential but is currently underperforming economically due to global sanctions and mounting international pressure.
International Sanctions Hurting Russian Economy
Trump noted that Russia’s economic performance has been severely impacted by recent sanctions and other global measures. He admitted that some of the US-led initiatives had worsened the situation for Moscow, making it harder for the country to recover.
Tariff on India Meant to Pressure Moscow
Highlighting India’s role as one of Russia’s largest oil buyers, Trump said the tariff move was aimed squarely at increasing economic pressure on the Kremlin. “When the US president tells a country that if you buy oil from Russia, we will impose a 50% tariff, it becomes one of the biggest setbacks for Russia,” he said.
Breakdown of the Tariff Penalty
The US has levied a base tariff of 25% on Indian goods, with an additional 25% penalty specifically for Russian oil imports, making the total duty 50%. The measure took effect on August 7 and is expected to impact multiple export sectors from India.
