JD Vance: Trump Used India Tariffs as Pressure Tactic on Russia-Ukraine War

JD Vance Defends Trump’s India Tariffs as Pressure on Russia Over Ukraine War.

US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that Donald Trump’s decision to impose secondary tariffs on India was part of a broader strategy to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance described the tariffs as “aggressive economic leverage” designed to restrict Moscow’s oil revenues.

“Trump has applied secondary tariffs on India to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy,” Vance said. The Trump administration has repeatedly objected to India’s imports of discounted Russian crude but has avoided openly criticizing China, the largest buyer of Moscow’s oil. India has defended its purchases, saying its energy policies are based on national interest and global market realities.

Asked how Washington was pressuring Moscow without new sanctions, Vance said Trump’s tariff policy was meant to push Russia toward peace talks.

“He made it clear that Russia could rejoin the world economy if it stopped the killing — but would remain isolated if it didn’t,” Vance said, adding that recent talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had already led to “significant concessions” from both sides.

Trump recently raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, including an additional 25 per cent duty on Russian crude imports refined in India. The move has strained ties between New Delhi and Washington.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pushed back sharply on Saturday, arguing India was not forcing anyone to buy its refined oil. “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Nobody is forcing you,” Jaishankar said, noting that both the US and Europe continue to purchase petroleum products from India.