‘Big deal, causes rift’: Trump on 50% tariff on India; reiterates he resolved Indo-Pak conflict

Washington [US]: US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that tariffs imposed on Indian goods created a “rift” with New Delhi, while also admitting that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict remains unresolved despite his earlier confidence in brokering peace.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said, “India was their [Russia's] biggest customer, I put 50 per cent tariff on India buying oil from Russia. That is a big deal and causes rift with India. Remember this, this is Europe problem more than our problem.”

Before addressing trade tensions, Trump conceded that the Russia-Ukraine war had not been resolved, despite his belief it would be the easiest conflict to end. “I thought easiest would be Ukraine and Russia... It takes two to tango. When Putin wants to do it, Zelensky didn't. When Zelensky wants to do it, Putin didn't. Now Zelensky wants to and Putin is question mark. We'll have to come down very strong. Only one. This is -- I've always had a great relationship with Putin, this is the only war that I have not solved,” he said.

Trump further outlined his approach, promising tougher actions to force a settlement. “It will be hitting hard with sanctions to banks and having to do with oil and tariffs also. I've already done it, I've done a lot,” he said.

The president also defended his record in conflict resolution, claiming, “I solved seven wars, seven. I did so many including Pakistan and India.... Some were unsolvable. Congo and Rwanda, I solved it. Millions of people killed. I solved wars that were unsolvable.”

The White House later released a statement highlighting Trump’s defense of his America First trade policy. “We've been successful because of the tariffs. It's given us a great power to negotiate with other countries that took advantage of us -- tremendous power. Also, it has brought billions of dollars into the country. We have a big case... it's now at the Supreme Court. That case is really important to win because it's made us a rich country,” Trump said.