US President Donald Trump has dismissed the prospect of fresh negotiations with India over tariffs that are likely to climb to 50 per cent later this month.
When asked by a reporter whether he anticipated further discussions following the announcement of the higher tariff, which takes effect on 27 August, Trump replied, “No, not until we get it resolved.”
His brief response left it unclear whether he was referring to a resolution of the Ukraine war, given that the extra 25 per cent punitive tariff announced on Wednesday for importing Russian oil is tied to it, or to the settlement of trade disputes that had prompted the 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods imposed last week.
The latest tariff move appears intended to exert economic pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, with India being the second-largest buyer of Russian oil.
Trump similarly declined on Wednesday to say whether he would remove the 25 per cent punitive tariff if Russia agreed to a peace deal.
“We’ll determine that later, but right now, they’re paying a 50 per cent tariff,” he stated.
Initially, Trump gave Russia 50 days to agree to a ceasefire or face further sanctions, including so-called secondary tariffs targeting all its oil customers.
He later cut the deadline to 12 days, ending on Friday, and then announced the India-specific 25 per cent tariff, likely to take effect on 27 August.
India criticised the move as ‘extremely unfortunate’, noting that other nations were also purchasing Russian oil in pursuit of their own national interests.
It swore to ‘take all actions necessary to protect its national interests’.
Trade Talks Collapse
Only last month, both sides had expressed optimism over the imminent conclusion of a trade agreement. However, reports suggest talks collapsed over Washington’s insistence on greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy markets.
Speaking about Friday’s Russia sanctions deadline and the potential secondary tariffs, Trump noted, “It’s going to be up to him (Putin). We’re going to see what he has to say.”
He added that the Russian leader’s refusal to end the war left him ‘very disappointed’.
Despite the tensions, both Washington and the Kremlin have signalled some progress in negotiations.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witcoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours of talks.
“We had some very good talks with President Putin,” Trump asserted, adding there was ‘a very good chance’ they could resolve the conflict soon.
The Kremlin stated on Thursday that Putin and Trump plan to meet in the near future.
US officials have suggested the meeting could take place as early as next week, though Trump would not confirm the date.
“They (Russian leaders) would like to meet with me, and I’ll do whatever I can to stop the killing” in Ukraine, he said.
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