Days after Trump unveiled a new set of steep tariffs, Russia on Monday responded to the US administration for increasing tariffs and imposing sanctions on the country, accusing the government of using “neocolonial” policy against specific countries to maintain Washington’s hegemony.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a statement, said no tariff wars or sanctions “can halt the natural course of history”.
Calling sanctions and restrictions a “regrettable reality” of today’s historical stage that affects the entire world, she said that the US is unable to come to terms with the “loss of hegemony in the emerging world order.”
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“Sanctions and restrictions have unfortunately become a defining feature of the current historical period, impacting countries across the globe. Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage,” she said.
Russia asserted in its statement that “no tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history.” Zakharova further said that Russia will deepen in cooperation with countries of the Global South, and resist the “unlawful unilateral sanctions.”
The response issued by Russian Foreign Ministry came hours after India issued a strongly worded statement over US imposing inflated tariffs on New Delhi for indulging in trade with Moscow in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine war.
India’s statement on US tariffs
India on Monday came down heavily on US for after Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Indian imports, in addition to other penalties for its trade relationship with Russia. India said that targeting Delhi was “unjustified and unreasonable”, and the country would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its “national interests and economic security”.
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The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement further called out the United States and European Union for its continued trade with Russia.
Speaking about its imports from Russia, India said, “They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion (for them).”
Donald Trump attacks India over trade with Russia
India and Russia’s attack against US came after President Donald Trump issued a warning that he would raise the tariff on India “substantially” as the country continues to indulge in trade with Russia.
Trump posted on Truth Social, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits… They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.”
(With inputs from PTI)