President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on India was aimed at intensifying pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.
The move effectively doubles India’s tariff burden to 50%, with Trump adding an extra 25% levy on top of the existing duty. According to Leavitt, the decision was part of a broader U.S. strategy to exert “secondary pressure” on Moscow.
“President Trump has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close,” Leavitt told reporters. “He’s imposed sanctions on India and taken other actions as well. He’s made it clear he wants the war to end quickly and dismissed suggestions of waiting for another month before peace talks.”
Trump recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House and met Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. Both leaders have indicated openness to direct negotiations.
Leavitt emphasized that Trump is committed to peace efforts. “The president wants to move fast and bring this war to an end as quickly as possible. With NATO leaders and European officials meeting him at the White House, there’s consensus that this is an important first step,” she said.
She added that the Trump administration is actively working with both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate direct talks. “I can assure you that we are making efforts to make that bilateral meeting happen,” Leavitt noted.
European leaders reportedly appreciated Trump’s initiative, with many flying to Washington within 48 hours of his meeting with Putin to receive updates on Moscow’s stance.
Leavitt also reiterated Trump’s long-standing claim that the war would not have broken out if he had been in office. “The president often says this conflict would not have started under his watch—and President Putin himself has confirmed that,” she said.
