Trump raises India tariffs to 50% amid row over Russian oil

President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50% as part of an ongoing row with New Delhi over its purchase of Russian oil, Forbes reported.

The move came the same day that special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump previously castigated India for purchasing Russian oil below market rate and reselling on the open market, asserting that India's operations were helping to fund the Russian war machine.

Trump has, in recent weeks, made something of an about face on the Ukraine conflict, embracing secondary sanctions on Russian trading partners and furiously condemning Putin over his unwillingness to commit to a ceasefire.

Likely motivating some of Putin's hesitance is Russian success on the battlefield. In recent days, Russian troops have broken into the fortress cities of Pokrovsk and Kupyansk, the capture of which are expected to supply Russia with key logistics hubs to take more territory in the Ukrainian East.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.