‘Not easy to do’: Trump admits 50% tariff on India over Russian oil ‘precipitated a rift’; calls it a ‘huge deal’

US president Donald Trump on Friday stated his resolution to impose a 50% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil is “a big deal” that “caused a rift” between the 2 nations.Speaking on Fox & Friends, the US President stated the transfer was not taken calmly however was vital to ship a message. “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,” he stated.

Trump, who has made confronting Moscow’s vitality commerce a key a part of his international coverage, insisted he had already taken vital steps in opposition to Russia. “But I’ve already done it. I’ve done a lot,” he stated, including: “Remember this is a Europe problem, much more than our problem.”In the identical interview, he repeated his declare that his presidency has introduced an finish to a number of conflicts around the globe. “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, millions of people killed. I solve wars that was unsolvable,” he stated.On August 7, the United States imposed a 25% tariff on India, together with an extra 25% punitive tariff, citing New Delhi’s continued buy of Russian oil. India has strongly rejected the allegation, calling the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable.”‘Not that far aside on a deal’The tariffs on India come at a delicate time in US-India relations. Washington’s ambassador-designate to Delhi, Sergio Gor, informed senators this week that India’s protectionist insurance policies had created obstacles however emphasised the partnership remained sturdy. He stated President Trump had a “deep friendship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it “incredible” given the tariffs.Gor additionally stated a commerce deal might be shut. “We are not that far apart right now on a deal. In fact, they’re negotiating the nitty-gritty of a deal,” he defined, suggesting an settlement might be reached inside weeks.