United States allegedly puts pressure on India amid tariff disagreements instigated by Trump, claims Russia - Reuters report
In a recent turn of events, the United States has imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports, particularly targeting Indian trade with Russia, specifically Russian oil. The tariffs, totaling 50%, were announced in August 2025, with an initial 25% tariff announced earlier and an additional 25% tariff imposed on India's purchases of Russian oil.
This move by President Donald Trump is aimed at pressuring Russia economically, as India is one of its biggest oil customers. The tariffs have disrupted what had been a warming relationship between the US and India, and the US administration has ruled out further trade negotiations until the issue is resolved.
Regarding Russia's response, the search results do not provide explicit details. However, the US tariffs are intended to pressure Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, indicating that the US is using sanctions on India's imports as a leverage point against Russia due to its involvement in the Ukraine war.
In response to these trade-related actions, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian leader, stated that countries should have the right to choose the forms of trade and economic cooperation that are in their own interests. He also condemned the tariffs as "in fact threats" and "attempts to force countries to cut trade relations with Russia."
India, currently the world's largest purchaser of Russian oil exported by sea, has significantly increased its purchases of Russian oil, buying about a third of its imports. Notably, these oil purchases from Russia have been at a discount.
Russia has accused the United States of putting trade pressure on India, a claim that has added to the strain in US-India trade relations. Despite this, Peskov believes that sovereign countries should have the right to choose their own trading partners. He also stated that Russia does not consider such statements to be legal.
In summary, the US tariffs on Indian imports have caused strain in US-India trade relations and halted further negotiations for the time being. The direct response from Russia to this US trade pressure via India is not detailed in the search results provided. However, Russia has accused the US of putting trade pressure on India, a claim that has added to the strain in US-India trade relations.
- The government of the United States has used policy-and-legislation, specifically tariffs, to exert pressure on India's business with Russia, particularly in the finance sector of Russian oil trades.
- Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian leader, has entered the political sphere by defending Russia's business partnerships, arguing that countries should have the freedom to choose their trade and economic collaborations, as these decisions should be based on general-news factors such as national interests.
- The unfolding events of US-imposed tariffs and Russia's response via India have resulted in added strains in the overall US-India trade relationships, demonstrating the delicate balance of politics and the complex interplay of trade, finance, and policy-and-legislation among nations.
