Trump hints US may not opt for additional secondary tariffs on India

The hint came following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that ended without any deal to stop the Russia-Ukraine war.

"Well, he [Putin] lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot. And if I did what's called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it," Trump told a US TV channel.

This might be a relief for India as there had been worries that the country could face fresh penalties if Washington enforced penalty sanctions.

A 25-per cent duty on Indian imports took effect on August 7. Trump later announced an additional 25-per cent levy due to Indian oil purchases from Russia, bringing the total tariff burden on Indian goods exported to the United States to 50 per cent. The second round of duties will start from August 27.

Trump also brushed aside questions about similar penalties for China, saying, “I don’t have to think about that now.”

Before the Trump-Putin talks, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent had cautioned that if the discussions failed, Washington could raise secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)