Bangladesh, Jan. 5 -- US President Donald Trump has escalated economic pressure on India, threatening to raise tariffs further if New Delhi continues purchasing crude oil from Russia. The warning, delivered aboard Air Force One, underscores Washingtons increasingly aggressive use of trade policy to enforce its geopolitical objectives, particularly its effort to isolate Moscow following the Ukraine conflict.

“They do trade. And we can raise tariffs on them very quickly, and it would be very bad for them,” Trump said, referring to Indias ongoing commercial engagement with Russia. His remarks come as the two countries remain locked in negotiations over a broader trade agreement, talks that have so far failed to produce a breakth...