US warns additional tariffs on India if talks with Putin in Alaska fail
PTC News Desk: The United States Treasury Secretary on Thursday warned that Trump administration could impose additional tariffs on India if talks with Russian President Putin in Alaska fail to achieve an outcome.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US may impose further secondary sanctions if the talks in Alaska on Friday fail to yield positive results.
"We've put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, If things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," Bessent said in an interview to Bloomberg TV.
Donald Trump has recently levied a 25% penalty on Indian imports, along with an additional 25% tariff on India’s purchases of oil and weapons from Russia, accusing New Delhi of indirectly financing Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
With combined duties now at 50%, India has strongly opposed the move, denouncing the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while defending its Russian oil imports as essential for national energy security.
In comments to Fox News, Bessent characterised India as “a bit recalcitrant” in trade talks. Negotiations between New Delhi and Washington stalled earlier this month after Trump suspended discussions over Russian trade and other unresolved issues. Talks may resume when US negotiators visit India on 25 August—just two days before the higher tariffs take effect. However, experts say India’s insistence on shielding its agriculture and dairy sectors is likely to remain a sticking point.
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The US President, who has positioned himself as a mediator, has warned Moscow of “severe consequences” if it refuses to agree to a peace deal.
- With inputs from agencies
