While Signaling Reset, Trump Also Pushes EU For 100% Tariffs On India

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Donald Trump has urged the European Union (EU) to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and China in an effort to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. This request, made during a meeting with US and EU officials, stems from a US assessment that China and India’s significant purchases of Russian oil are helping to sustain Russia’s economy and its military efforts.

The call for tariffs appears to be a dual approach from the Trump administration toward India.

On the same day as his request to the EU, President Trump posted on social media that the US and India are “continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers” between the two nations. He also expressed optimism about a “successful conclusion” to trade talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he plans to speak with in the coming weeks.

Modi has echoed this sentiment, stating that the two countries are “close friends and natural partners.”

The appeal to the EU follows previous economic actions taken by the US against India. The  US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, which included an additional 25% penalty for the country’s transactions with Russia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called these tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable,” arguing that the country is being unfairly targeted, especially since the EU continues to import Russian gas.

India and Russia meanwhile are working toward increasing their annual trade to $100 billion by 2030.