Trump Defends 50% Tariff on India Over Russian Oil, Calls It a ‘Tough Move’

US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that his decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on India had caused a "rift" between New Delhi and Washington. Speaking in an interview with Fox and Friends, Trump described the move as a tough call, noting that much of the penalty was tied to India's continued purchase of Russian oil.

"Look, India was their biggest customer. I put a 50 per cent tariff on India because they're buying oil from Russia. That's not an easy thing to do. That's a big deal and it causes a rift with India," Trump said when asked about his policy toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The President defended his stance, insisting that his actions were in the best interest of the United States. "But I've already done it. I've done a lot. And remember this is a Europe problem much more than our problem," he added.

Trump on resolving global conflicts

Trump also reiterated his claim that he had successfully resolved seven global conflicts during his second term, including tensions between India and Pakistan.

"I solved seven wars. I did so many, including Pakistan and India, but big ones, some were unsolvable, Congo and Rwanda. I solved it. It was going on for 31 years, and millions of people were killed. I solve wars that were unsolvable," he said.

Trade deal prospects between India and the US

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Washington and New Delhi were "not far apart" on finalizing a trade agreement. He suggested that President Trump was likely to visit India later this year to attend the QUAD Leaders Summit.

Gor added that Trump had invited India's commerce and trade minister to the US next week. In a recent meeting with Washington's trade representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, both sides indicated that negotiations were nearing completion, raising expectations of a formal deal soon.