【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】The highly anticipated Alaska Summit has come to an end. According to Reuters, on August 15 local time, U.S. President Trump said after the summit that he currently "does not need to consider" retaliatory tariffs against Russian oil buyers such as China, but added that he may need to reconsider this issue in "two or three weeks."

Trump previously stated that if negotiations did not go smoothly, he would push for a series of sanctions against Russia.

However, after the summit, when answering a question from a Fox News reporter, Trump said, "Given the situation of the meeting, I don't need to think about this now. I might consider it in two or three weeks, and I don't need to think about it now."

Trump also said, "I think, you know, this meeting went very smoothly."

On August 15, Trump and Putin held a head-of-state meeting in Alaska. Visual China

According to another report by Indian media NDTV, on the morning of the 15th, just before heading to Anchorage, Alaska, on his private jet, Trump once again issued a tariff threat to Russia and Russian energy buyers.

Trump at the time claimed, "Well, he (Russian President Putin) lost one oil customer, which is India. India's purchases account for about 40% of Russia's total oil production. You know, China also accounts for a large portion... If I implement 'secondary sanctions' or 'secondary tariffs,' it will be devastating for them."

But Trump left room for maneuver: "If I have to do it, I will. Maybe I don't need to."

Trump reiterates the so-called "secondary sanctions" threat before meeting Putin on August 15. Video screenshot

Trump had threatened to impose sanctions on Russia and impose so-called "secondary sanctions" on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil, including China and India.

On the local time of the 6th, Trump announced additional tariffs of 25% on Indian goods, raising the total tariff level to 50%. This additional tariff measure will take effect on August 28. Before that, Trump had been pressuring India intensively, making harsh remarks on social media, accusing India of buying Russian weapons and energy.

Trump's threats have increased Indian hostility, with many people angry at Trump's unilateral criticism of India. Previously, the United States had tolerated India's purchase of Russian oil, until Trump recently adopted a tough stance toward Russia. Former Indian Foreign Minister Shyam Saran questioned, "If purchasing Russian oil is so important, why didn't he mention China at all? Why only target India?"

Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics at Columbia University and director of the Harvard Center for International Studies, gave advice to India in a recent interview with Indian media. Sachs said, "In fact, American politicians are indifferent to India. India will not gain any security benefits by aligning with the United States to counter China."

Regarding the so-called "secondary sanctions" threats from the West, China has clarified its position.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian of China pointed out in July that China has always believed that dialogue and negotiation are the only feasible way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. He emphasized, "There is no winner in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure cannot solve the problem. We hope all parties can create an atmosphere and accumulate conditions to promote the political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, and do more things that contribute to peace talks."

This article is an exclusive article from Observer Net. Without permission, it cannot be reprinted.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7539112798091543080/

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