Ahead of the much-awaited meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week, US President Donald Trump on Monday took a dig at Russia, saying their economy has been severely hit by the ongoing global pressures due to the imposition of US tariffs on several countries.
Trump also targeted India and claimed that the 50 per cent tariff he has imposed on Indian imports is a “big blow” to the Russian economy.
"I'm going to meet him...Their (Russia) economy is not doing well right now because it's been very well disturbed by this. It doesn't help when the President of the United States tells their largest or second-largest oil buyer that we are putting a 50 per cent tariff on you if you buy oil from Russia. That was a big blow,” The President said, addressing a press conference at the White House.
#WATCH | On meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump says, "I'm going to meet him...Their (Russia) economy is not doing well right now because it's been very well disturbed by this. It doesn't help when the President of the United States tells… pic.twitter.com/ika9ZSwT1O
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
“I haven't stopped there. I mean, look, I was all set to do things far bigger than that. But I got a call that they'd like to meet, and I'm going to see what they want to meet about. I'd like to see a ceasefire. I'd like to see the best deal that could be made for both parties,” he further said.
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, taking the total levy on Indian goods to the US to 50 per cent.
In the order, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.
India has termed the US move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and said New Delhi will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.
