Washington, Aug 25, 2025 : US Vice President JD Vance has clarified that President Donald Trump’s recent 50% tariffs on Indian imports are part of an “aggressive economic leverage” strategy aimed at pressuring Russia to halt its military operations in Ukraine. Speaking on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Vance said the tariffs are intended to make it harder for Russia to profit from its oil economy, highlighting the Trump administration’s approach to use global trade measures as a tool in the ongoing conflict.

“Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example, secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy,” Vance said. He expressed optimism that the US could broker meaningful concessions from both sides, claiming that recent weeks have already seen significant steps toward potential peace. “We believe we’ve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks,” he noted. Vance added that Russia could be reintegrated into the global economy if it ceases hostilities, but continued aggression would result in sustained isolation.

The tariffs have intensified tensions between New Delhi and Washington, particularly because India has been importing discounted Russian crude following Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Unlike India, the US has refrained from publicly criticizing China and European nations, which are the largest importers of Russian crude and gas, respectively.

Earlier this month, Trump announced the imposition of a 50% duty on Indian goods, including a 25% punitive surcharge targeting India’s Russian oil purchases. Washington claims that India’s crude purchases indirectly support Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, an assertion New Delhi has consistently rejected. Indian authorities argue that their energy procurement is guided solely by national interest and market considerations.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue at an event in New Delhi, stressing the irony of a pro-business US administration criticizing India for conducting trade. “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business,” he said. Responding to the criticism of India’s Russian oil purchases, Jaishankar added, “That’s really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”

The tariffs have created a complex diplomatic scenario. While the Trump administration frames the measures as part of a broader strategy to pressure Russia economically, India maintains that its oil procurement decisions are made purely based on energy security and affordability. Analysts note that the situation underscores the delicate balancing act New Delhi must perform in its foreign policy, particularly in maintaining relations with both Western powers and Russia while safeguarding its domestic energy needs.

As the US-India trade friction continues, the world watches closely whether economic measures like these will contribute meaningfully to curbing Russia’s military activities in Ukraine or strain bilateral ties further.