Trump Targets India-Russia Trade with Tariff Hike

In a bold move, US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that he will dramatically increase tariffs on India, citing the country's controversial trade practices. Trump accused India of purchasing massive amounts of Russian oil and profiting by reselling it on the open market, a move he implied was against ethical international norms amidst the Ukraine conflict.

Trump's statements come on the heels of his criticism of the close economic bonds between India and Russia. He suggested these ties could drag their economies down together and questioned India's status as the world's fastest-growing major economy. The doubling down on tariffs is part of a broader strategy to address the trade deficit the US claims to have with India.

The tariffs, set at 25%, were confirmed by the White House, pointing to India's high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers as major points of contention. The ongoing issue of India's military and energy purchases from Russia was also highlighted as a significant concern, particularly given the geopolitical climate.

(With inputs from agencies.)