D.C. – According to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump’s choice to put heavy tariffs on India is a planned move to put pressure on Russia and aid resolve its war with Ukraine. Vance termed the measure “aggressive economic leverage” on media “Meet the Press.”
Vance stated, “Trump has used aggressive economic leverage, like secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy.”
The Vice President’s comments come at a time when the Trump administration has been more and more critical of India’s purchases of cheap Russian crude oil. Trump said last week that the U.S. would hike tariffs on Indian goods to 50% and add a 25% charge just for trade in energy with Moscow.
Vance was hopeful that the U.S. might help bring peace between the two warring countries, pointing to recent events. He remarked, “We think both sides have already made some big concessions in the last few weeks.” He made it plain that the message to Russia is clear: “They can be let back into the world economy if they stop the killing.” But they will stay alone if they keep killing.
The action has made things worse between Washington and New Delhi, with India vehemently denying U.S. claims that its energy commerce with Russia is fueling the war. India has always said that its foreign policy and energy choices are based on what is best for the country and what is happening in the market.
India is upset that the U.S. hasn’t said anything bad about China, which is still the biggest consumer of Russian oil and gas. S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs, has openly criticized the “pro-business American administration” for “accusing other people of doing business.” He also said that if the U.S. has an issue with India’s refined oil products, “don’t buy it.”