India is facing a 50 percent tariff from the United States on its goods due to its oil imports from Russia, despite not being the only country engaging in such trade. JD Vance, the American Vice President, revealed that this move by President Donald Trump is a deliberate attempt to squeeze Russia by penalizing New Delhi. Vance, in an interview, stated that Trump has employed ‘aggressive economic leverage’ through tariffs on India to hinder Russia’s financial gains from its oil industry. Vance expressed optimism about the US’s role in brokering an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting perceived concessions from both sides. He also criticized the continuation of the war, citing the loss of civilian lives, and asserted that Trump’s administration took more decisive action to pressure Russia than the previous administration. The US imposed these tariffs on Indian goods as punishment for purchasing Russian crude oil.
