Nato chief Mark Rutte has stated that the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on India are having an immediate effect on Russia.
During an interview with journalist Christiane Amanpour, Rutte remarked that Vladimir Putin is likely feeling pressure from India, and that Prime Minister Modi would be interested in understanding how the Russian leader intends to conclude the conflict, in order to alleviate the tariffs imposed on his country as well.
Rutte emphasized this point after Amanpour noted that Trump has not enacted any sanctions or tariffs against Russia, and that all measures, including tariffs on India, are considered secondary actions. Rutte asserted that these tariffs significantly impact Russia.
“This has an immediate effect on Russia because it implies that Delhi is now communicating with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is inquiring, ‘I support you. However, could you clarify your strategy? I am now facing these 50 percent tariffs from the United States.’ Thus, President Trump is executing what he has stated,” Rutte explained.
It is important to clarify that Rutte was illustrating a point regarding the pressure on Putin through a hypothetical dialogue. He was not referencing an actual conversation between Modi and Putin.
Nevertheless, Rutte indicated that the alliance has been dissatisfied, as their efforts have not resulted in the cessation of the Russian war in Ukraine.
Trump has imposed a 50 percent tariff on India, which is the highest in the world. This is in addition to the 25 percent tariff that was initially enacted when Trump introduced tariffs affecting over 60 countries and blocs, along with an additional 25 percent tariff as a punitive measure for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. In recent weeks, Trump and his aides have accused India of financing the Russian war in Ukraine. His aide, Peter Navarro, has consistently accused India of profiting from the conflict by exporting refined petroleum products after processing Russian crude oil.
