KHUSHI KUMARI
Image Source: X
High-stakes diplomacy and economic leverage collide as Trump weighs tariffs post-Putin meeting
President Trump meets Putin in Anchorage—amid a deadly Ukraine war and international scrutiny
Before the summit, Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on India in late July, then added a 25% penalty for Russian oil imports—taking it to 50%
Trump suggested these tariffs may have compelled Putin to come to the table. He claimed India’s exclusion may have "lost an oil client"
After the meeting, Trump said progress with Putin means he won't need to pursue tariffs on China—at least for now. He hinted any decision might come “in two or three weeks”
Despite no agreement to end the Ukraine war, both leaders called the meeting productive. Trump floated the idea of a future trilateral summit with Zelenskiy
India’s energy ties with Russia sparked U.S. pushback. A successful summit could ease pressures, potentially allowing India to continue Russian oil trade without punitive cost
Trump used tariff threats as bargaining chips—but held off actions when dialogue seemed promising. The strategy remains: act unless diplomacy works