US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that the Donald Trump administration may be willing to “fix” the additional 25 per cent tariffs imposed on India over its purchases of Russian oil.In an interview with NBC News, Rubio said the US expects European nations to step up their own sanctions against Moscow. “I think it’s important for Europe to impose sanctions, too. Right now, there are countries in Europe that are still buying massive amounts of oil and natural gas from Russia, which is absurd. They’re asking for the US to impose more sanctions, but there are countries in Europe that are not doing enough,” he said.Rubio added that while the US had taken measures against India, “that’s something we hope we can fix.” He further noted that President Trump retains the option of introducing more sanctions on Russia. “At some point, he may have to decide to impose new sanctions. The President has the ability to do more, and he’s considering doing more because of the direction this has taken,” he said.The Trump administration has levied an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, taking total duties on Delhi’s trade to 50 per cent, among the highest globally. Rubio said Trump remained “deeply disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s course of action in Ukraine despite their Alaska summit in August. “But let’s remember, he didn’t start this war. He inherited it, and all he’s wanted to do is end it,” Rubio said.His remarks followed a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas,” Jaishankar posted on X after the talks.Also read: ‘India is a relationship of critical importance to US’: Marco Rubio after meeting S Jaishankar; talks over defence, energy & tradeRubio described India as being of “critical” value to Washington and welcomed ongoing trade interactions. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in New York on Monday to discuss the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement.In the same NBC interview, Rubio stressed that the US remains central to global diplomacy. “Look what the President’s done and the wars he’s brought about to an end – Thailand and Cambodia, India and Pakistan. Time and again, the President has been the only leader in the world that can get involved,” he said.India has maintained that its understanding with Pakistan on cessation of hostilities followed direct talks between the two militaries’ Directors General of Military Operations.
