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The United States has warned India of increased tariffs if upcoming talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin fail to produce a breakthrough.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington has already imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, and an additional 25 percent levy will take effect in the coming days due to India’s purchase of petroleum products from Russia.
Bessent warned that if the Trump-Putin talks in Alaska on Friday end without progress, tariffs could rise even further. “Additional measures depend on the outcome of the discussions between the two leaders,” he stated.
READ: Pakistan Basmati rice exports to US surge amid Indian tariff hike
Friday’s meeting will mark the first direct encounter between a sitting US president and the Russian president since 2021.
Trump has said he plans a second meeting with Putin soon after the Alaska summit and wants Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to participate, provided all parties agree.
The tariff dispute comes as Washington increases pressure on countries trading with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Analysts warn that higher US tariffs could strain trade relations between Washington and New Delhi, which have already faced challenges in recent years.
