Donald Trump US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was unsure whether the tariffs on India were linked to his special envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”And as you know, we put a 50 per cent tariff on India on oil. They’re the second largest [purchaser of Russian oil]. They’re very close to China in terms of the purchase of oil from Russia. So, I don’t know if that had anything to do with it, but we’ve had very productive talks today,” Trump said.Earlier on the Wednesday evening, the US president announced a doubling of tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, which will take effect in three weeks.Trump also did not confirm if the extra 25 per cent tariffs he announced on Wednesday on Indian exports would be rolled back if Russia and Ukraine reached a ceasefire deal.”Well, we’ll determine that later, but right now, they’re paying a 50% tariff,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.Trump also said there was a “very good chance” he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon as part of ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict.”That road was long, and continues to be long, but there’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” he said.His statement came after Putin hosted US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a three-hour meeting in Moscow. The talks happened amid increased tensions between the US and Russia.Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be moved following an online row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, and that they were now “in the region.”Moscow then said that it was ending a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles, suggesting that it could deploy such weapons in response to what it alleged were similar US deployments within striking distance of Russia.
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read more on The Times of India
