Fri Nov 07 05:29:26 UTC 2025: Summary:

The article from The Hindu reports that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended former President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a diplomatic tool, specifically mentioning that Trump urged India to cease oil purchases from Russia to help end the war in Ukraine. This comes as the Supreme Court hears arguments on the legality of Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, including a 50% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. The Trump administration argued these tariffs were necessary to address the national emergency regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine. While Trump claims India has assured him of reducing oil imports from Russia, India maintains its energy policy is guided by its own national interests.

News Article:

U.S. Commerce Secretary Defends Trump’s Tariffs on India, Citing Ukraine War

Washington, D.C. – November 7, 2025 – U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has defended former President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a diplomatic tool, claiming they were essential in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Lutnick’s comments come as the Supreme Court hears arguments on the legality of Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on several countries, including India.

Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Lutnick asserted that Trump used tariffs “to buy justice” and pressured India to “stop buying oil” from Russia. He argued that restricting these powers would weaken the U.S.’s ability to ensure global security.

The Trump administration imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on India, with an additional 25% on purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total duties to 50%. These measures, the administration argued in September, were implemented to address a “preexisting national emergency regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine” and were a “crucial aspect” of the President’s push for peace.

While Trump has claimed India assured him they would significantly reduce oil imports from Russia, India maintains its energy policy is driven by its own national interests, prioritizing affordable and secure energy supplies for its consumers.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of Trump’s tariff powers remains pending, with significant implications for U.S. trade relations and presidential authority.

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