US President Donald Trump, on Saturday, said that he might consider retaliatory tariffs on the countries purchasing Russian oil, but won't do that "right now".
Trump's remarks came after he concluded his high-stakes, closed-door meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska that lasted for about three hours. Both leaders also had a brief interaction with the media.
While appearing for an interview, Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity, "Well, because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that (tariffs). Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something. But we don't have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well."
Trump was replying to a question about the oil trade between India and Russia, and the potential tariffs on China. But, he wasn't specific about retaliatory tariffs or additional tariffs on countries, particularly those buying Russian oil.
Last month, the US President announced that he would impose secondary sanctions on the countries dealing with Moscow, while threatening 100 percent tariffs on Russia, warning it with 50 50-day period for agreeing to a deal that ends the Ukraine war.
He had said, "We are very, very unhappy with them. And we are going to be imposing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 percent, you would call them secondary tariffs."
Before he met with Putin in Alaska, Trump had stated, "Moscow lost an oil client, India. If I impose secondary sanctions, it would be devastating for Russia. If I have to do it, I will do it...Maybe I won't have to do it."
Weeks later, Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on India, which he had doubled, citing India's continuous purchase of Russian oil. While half of the announced tariffs have already taken effect, the rest will come over from August 27.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had threatened that "if things don't go well between Trump and Putin", America could increase the secondary tariffs. He had said, "We have put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs would go up."