• Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil, escalating trade tensions.
• Secondary tariffs aim to push Russia towards a peace deal in Ukraine amid US mediation efforts.
• Democrats criticize the tariff strategy, urging military support for Ukraine instead.

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on India, a move he suggests may influence Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump indicated that the tariffs, which notably impact India's oil purchases from Russia, were part of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow during a recent summit in Alaska. He remarked that losing a significant customer like India could severely affect Russia's operations during the conflict. The tariff was implemented following Trump's claim that India's purchases were fueling Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, as reported by Indiatimes and Dawn.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that the tariff could be adjusted based on the outcomes of US-Russia negotiations, indicating potential for further sanctions on India if talks fail. This strategy has been met with criticism from the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, which argued that targeting India alone would not effectively pressure Putin; they urged instead for direct military aid to Ukraine to demonstrate a stronger response to Russia's actions. They described the approach as inadequate and a mere diversion from serious diplomacy needed to stop the war, according to Indiatimes.

The Biden administration has been part of negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, and Bessent's comments indicate that trade relationships with India are under strain as the US attempts to balance international diplomatic efforts with domestic economic policies. Moreover, the tariffs, if raised further, could destabilize India's economy, potentially obstructing ongoing trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington that have already faced complications due to agricultural trade issues, highlighted in reporting by Dawn and Indiatimes.

Despite the imposition of tariffs on India, Trump has not yet considered similar actions against China, another major buyer of Russian oil, but has noted that he may need to impose sanctions on China in the future. He expressed a willingness to reconsider this approach based on the outcomes of recent talks with Putin, stating, "Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks...," indicating that the international landscape is shifting rapidly as the situation unfolds, according to Channel News Asia and Indiatimes.