Washington: The White House on Tuesday clarified that US President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on India was not merely a trade move but a calculated geopolitical step to pressure Russia into halting its war in Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the 50 percent tariff combining an existing 25 percent levy with an additional 25 percent penalty was imposed in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. According to Leavitt, the administration views the measure as “secondary pressure” directed at Moscow by targeting its energy trade partners.
“The President has applied enormous pressure to bring this war to an end. These sanctions on India, along with other steps, underline his determination. He has made it clear that prolonging the conflict is unacceptable,” Leavitt told reporters during her briefing.
The announcement followed President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Both leaders described the encounter as their most constructive discussion yet, with Trump even signaling openness to a trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Leavitt stressed that Trump’s overriding goal remains peace. “He wants to move quickly and bring this war to a close. With NATO leaders and European heads of state endorsing these efforts, there is broad recognition that progress is being made,” she said.
Within 48 hours of Trump’s talks with Putin earlier this week, several European leaders reportedly rushed to Washington for follow-up consultations, reflecting what the White House called “a breakthrough in diplomatic momentum.” Leavitt noted that this level of coordination had not been achieved under the previous administration.
Reiterating Trump’s long-held claim, Leavitt said both European leaders and Putin himself had acknowledged that the war would never have started if Trump had been in office earlier. “President Putin confirmed that point, and our European allies believe it too,” she added.
When pressed about ensuring stability beyond Trump’s presidency, Leavitt assured that Washington is working closely with NATO and European partners to lay down security guarantees that will endure. She emphasized Trump’s personal investment of “significant time, energy, and effort” in building a framework for lasting peace.
The tariff escalation, while criticized in some circles as potentially damaging to US-India ties, is being defended by the administration as a necessary move in a broader chess game to weaken Russia’s war effort and accelerate the path toward a negotiated settlement.