The current foreign policy of the United States can be seen as offering an olive branch to Russian President Vladimir Putin while simultaneously building a tariff wall against the Indian economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This dual approach is now sharply in focus.
The olive branch for Putin comes in the form of high-level talks about renewed energy cooperation. Proposals for Exxon Mobil to return to Russia and for other deals are tangible signs of a US willingness to re-engage economically in exchange for diplomatic concessions on Ukraine.
The tariff wall for Modi is a harsh economic reality. With duties set to hit 50% this week, Indian businesses face a significant barrier to their largest export market, a direct consequence of India’s decision to purchase Russian oil.
This policy focus reveals the transactional and goal-oriented nature of the Trump administration. It is less concerned with the historical status of relationships and more focused on using economic tools—both positive and negative—to achieve immediate objectives, whether that be forcing a policy change in India or securing a peace deal with Russia.