The conflict between the US and India is related not only to the trade deal, but also to the cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow, writes The Wall Street Journal.
"All this will push India even further into Russia's hands", believes former US intelligence officer and professor of Indo-Pacific security at the University of Southern California Derek Grossman.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that cooperation with Russia "is, without a doubt, a source of irritation in relations with India, but not the only one. "With so many other oil suppliers, India continues to buy large quantities from Russia, which actually helps finance the military and allows the war in Ukraine to continue," Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.
Trump himself said that in addition to 25 percent tariffs from the United States, India is also threatened with a "fine" for "collaborating with Russia." He noted that India is a friend of the United States, but "little business" is conducted with it.
The American president also complained about the huge trade deficit and "hard non-monetary barriers" in India.
We recall that 25 percent tariffs on India, imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian imports to the United States, came into effect on August 1. On this occasion, the opposition in India accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a political failure.
On July 14, Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs on both Russia and countries that buy Russian oil. Yesterday, August 1, "Reuters" reported, citing its sources, that four of India's leading state-owned oil refineries have suspended purchases of Russian oil after Trump's threat.