Trump Non-Committal on Tariffs, Puts India’s Fate on Ukraine Peace
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – August 7, 2025: In a move that makes the U.S.-India relationship even murkier, President Donald Trump is staying vague about whether he’d kill new tariffs on India if Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire. This uncertainty comes as the Trump administration slaps an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total to 50%. The White House says it’s trying to pressure Russia by going after countries that still buy its oil.
An Uncertain Way Ahead
At an event with Apple CEO Tim Cook at the White House, President Trump got a direct question: Would a peace deal with Russia mean the end of the new tariffs on India? He dodged the question.
We’ll decide that later, but for now, they’re paying a 50 percent tariff, Trump said. This leaves the Indian government and business leaders in the dark, adding to economic and diplomatic worries.
Tariff as a Way to Pressure
These new tariffs are because India has continued to buy cheap Russian oil. The administration says India’s oil buys hurt U.S. efforts against Russia’s harmful stuff.
Trump himself has blasted India for profiteering from the war. He insists these tariffs are needed to pressure Moscow to end the war.
India’s Stance and the Big Picture
India defends its oil buys by saying it’s about their economy and energy for its 1.4 billion people. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) calls the U.S. tariffs unfair and calls out the U.S. and some European countries for still trading with Russia too.
The timing is tricky, since Trump’s diplomat, Steve Witkoff, is talking peace in Moscow. The tariffs on India look like a ploy to squeeze Russia by cutting off a big money source.
Big Economic and Political Fallout
The 50% tariff puts Indian exports to the U.S. at a disadvantage. The Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI) warns it could knock down India’s exports to the U.S. by almost 30% this year.
This tariff is worse than what most other big trade partners face, like China (30%) and Vietnam (20%). Indian business leaders are saying it’s a bad hit that could hurt textiles, engineering, and leather stuff.
A Shaky Strategic Alliance
Michael Kugelman from the Wilson Center calls this the worst situation in the U.S.-India relationship in 20 years. The tariffs could mess up years of trying to build an alliance against China in the Indo-Pacific.
Kugelman thinks this could backfire, pushing India closer to other rivals. Trump’s fence-sitting on a ceasefire just makes things worse, leaving India in a tough spot with no clear promises.
The next few weeks are key. The Indian government says it will do what it must to protect its interests. This whole thing shows how unpredictable trade and foreign policy are under the current U.S. administration, leaving one of the world’s big relationships hanging in the balance.
