President Donald Trump has moved to reshape US trade policy on two major fronts, signing executive orders that both ease tariffs on India and threaten new levies on countries that continue to trade with Iran.
The rollback of tariffs on India follows New Delhi’s commitment to halt imports of Russian oil, a move welcomed by Washington as it seeks to tighten pressure on Moscow’s energy revenues. The decision signals a thaw in trade tensions between the two nations and underscores the administration’s willingness to reward partners that align with US foreign policy priorities.
At the same time, Trump warned that nations maintaining commercial ties with Iran could face fresh US tariffs, escalating economic pressure on Tehran and its trade partners. The move reinforces a hardline strategy aimed at isolating Iran economically, while using trade measures as leverage in broader geopolitical negotiations.
Together, the twin decisions highlight the Trump administration’s increasingly assertive use of tariffs as a diplomatic tool, targeting both allies and adversaries. From the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, the approach underscores how trade policy is being deployed not just to protect US industries, but to advance America’s strategic interests on the global stage.