- Russia: Trump is courting Vladimir Putin with diplomatic overtures, aiming for a ceasefire deal in Ukraine. A special envoy recently met with Putin in Moscow, signaling potential thawing.
- China: Despite being the largest importer of Russian energy, Beijing has been spared secondary tariffs. Analysts suggest Trump is holding fire to preserve leverage for future negotiations.
- India: Facing the brunt of Trump’s trade penalties. A 25% “secondary tariff” is set to hit Indian goods over its Russian oil imports, with threats of further hikes. U.S. officials accuse India of “profiteering” and undermining sanctions.
The strategy is described as “ad-hoc and contradictory,” with Trump leveraging trade pressure to extract deals, whether ceasefires or economic concessions. India, once a close ally, is now in a diplomatic bind. Its role as a major buyer of discounted Russian oil (1.6 million bpd) has drawn sharp U.S. criticism.
Implications:
- The rhetoric risks unraveling years of improving U.S.-India ties.
- China’s exemption raises questions about consistency in Trump’s foreign policy.
- Markets remain cautious, watching for escalation or backpedaling.
(source CNN)
—Agencies
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