Trump Says US Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Have Hit Moscow’s Economy Ahead of Putin Talks

International News: Days before a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump has said that his administration’s trade measures against India have dealt a significant blow to Russia’s economy. Trump described India as one of the largest buyers of Russian oil and suggested that targeting those purchases was an important part of his strategy to weaken Moscow’s financial position.

Tariffs on Indian Imports

At a White House press conference on Monday, Trump explained that the United States has placed a 25% tariff on goods imported from India. On top of that, another 25% duty has been added specifically because of India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. Together, the combined 50% tariff is the highest Washington currently imposes on any nation, matched only by the rate applied to Brazil.

Trump said these actions have “significantly affected” Russia’s economy. He argued that by limiting Moscow’s oil exports to major buyers like India, the Kremlin would face more difficulty funding its activities abroad. “It doesn’t help when the President of the United States tells their biggest or second-biggest oil customer that we are putting a 50% tariff on you if you buy oil from Russia. That was a big blow,” Trump said.

Russia’s Economic Struggles

Trump claimed that Russia, despite being a vast country with natural wealth, is not performing well economically. He said the nation has “tremendous potential” but is being held back by the current global situation and by the impact of American trade actions. “They’re not doing well right now because it’s been very well disturbed by this,” he told reporters, suggesting that Russia should focus more on developing its own economy.

India’s Objection

New Delhi has strongly opposed the US tariffs, calling them “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” Indian officials argue that the country’s oil purchases from Russia are based on domestic energy needs and are not meant to support any political agenda. They also maintain that India has the right to choose its trade partners based on its national interests.

Meeting with Putin in Alaska

Trump confirmed that he will meet Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15. He described the decision for the meeting to take place on US soil as a sign of mutual respect. Trump said he appreciated the gesture of the Russian president visiting the United States instead of hosting the meeting in Russia or at a neutral location. He added that after the talks, he intends to engage with European leaders and explore ways to arrange direct discussions between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Broader Diplomatic Claims

The US president also repeated his claim that he has resolved multiple international conflicts during his second term. He said that one of these successes included halting tensions between India and Pakistan. However, India has publicly stated that its ceasefire with Pakistan was the result of direct talks between the two nations’ military officials, without US mediation.

With the Alaska meeting approaching, Trump’s remarks show how trade policy, energy politics, and diplomacy are merging in his approach to international relations.