The US House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Democratic-led committee tasked with the oversight of foreign policy, denounced President Donald Trump's move to place a 50 per cent tariff on Indian products for its Russian oil purchases, claiming that such a policy "won't stop" Vladimir Putin from pursuing the war in Ukraine. The committee proposed military assistance to Ukraine as a better means to sanction Russia.
"Tarring India won't halt Putin. If Trump is serious about countering Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine, perhaps punish Putin and provide Ukraine the weapons it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors," the Democratic committee stated.
The remarks followed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's warning to New Delhi on the threat of raising secondary tariffs linked to Russian oil commerce. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent suggested that increasing tariffs would ride on the outcome of Trump's high-stakes meeting with Putin in Alaska, which ended with what the president characterized as "productive talks.
"We've imposed secondary tariffs on Indians for purchasing Russian oil. And I could see, if this doesn't work out, then sanctions or secondary tariffs might increase. I think everybody's been disappointed with President Putin. We thought he would come to the table in a more generous fashion. It appears he might be willing to negotiate," Bessent explained.
When questioned about China, the primary purchaser of Russian oil, Bessent said, "Not going to get ahead of the president, but the president is the best at creating leverage for himself, and he will make it clear to President Putin that all options are on the table."
Trump had last week threatened an extra 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports, which was doubled to 50 per cent, as a "penalty" for still buying Russian oil. This is the highest tariff Trump has put in place under his new trade list, along with Brazil.
India denounced the action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," saying it would affect industry sectors like textiles and oceanic exports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, reasserted that India would never sacrifice the interests of its fishermen and farmers, accepting that there would be economic and personal ramifications.
"The interests of farmers are my first priority. India would never compromise on the interests of its farmers, livestock owners, and fishermen. And I am sure I will have to take a humongous price personally, but I am willing. India is willing, for the interests of the country's farmers, fishermen, and livestock owners," Modi said.
Read also| Watch| Viral Image Shows US Troops Kneeling to Roll Out Red Carpet for Putin
