- We will increase tariffs on them [India] in a short time: US president.
- President Donald Trump says, “it was vital to make me glad”.
- He additionally doubles down on stance to annex Denmark’s Greenland.
NEW DELHI/COPENHAGEN: America might increase tariffs on India if New Delhi does not meet Washington’s demand to curb purchases of Russian oil, President Donald Trump advised reporters aboard Air Drive One.
“Modi […] knew I used to be not glad, and it was vital to make me glad,” Trump stated on Sunday.
“They do commerce, and we are able to increase tariffs on them in a short time,” Trump stated in response to a query on India’s Russian oil purchases.
India’s commerce ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The US doubled import tariffs on Indian items to 50% final 12 months as punishment for its heavy shopping for of Russian oil. Regardless of the hefty tariffs, India’s exports to the US leapt in November.
Inspired by the improved commerce information, Indian officers have maintained a agency stance in opposition to US commerce calls for, signalling restricted flexibility in areas corresponding to agricultural imports, whereas information reveals India’s oil purchases from Russia have declined.
India is asking refiners for weekly disclosures of Russian and US. oil purchases, individuals aware of the matter advised Reuters final week, including that they count on Russian crude imports to dip under 1 million barrels per day as New Delhi seeks to clinch a commerce cope with Washington.
Modi has spoken to Trump no less than 3 times over the cellphone since he imposed tariffs, however the discussions stay inconclusive.
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met US Deputy Commerce Consultant Rick Switzer to debate bilateral commerce and financial ties final month in Delhi.
Greenland annexation
Moreover, President Trump doubled down on his declare that Greenland ought to turn into a part of the US, regardless of calls by Denmark’s prime minister to cease “threatening” the territory.
Washington’s army intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly stated he desires to annex, given its strategic location within the Arctic.
Whereas aboard Air Drive One en path to Washington, Trump reiterated the aim.
“We’d like Greenland from the standpoint of nationwide safety, and Denmark will not be going to have the ability to do it,” he stated in response to a reporter’s query.
“We’ll fear about Greenland in about two months… let´s speak about Greenland in 20 days.”
Over the weekend, the Danish prime minister known as on Washington to cease “threatening its historic ally”.
“I’ve to say this very clearly to america: it’s completely absurd to say that the US ought to take management of Greenland,” PM Mette Frederiksen stated in an announcement.
She additionally famous that Denmark, “and thus Greenland”, was a Nato member protected by the settlement´s safety ensures.
