Former U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his administration’s steep tariffs on India to broader efforts to end the Ukraine war, in a plea submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court on September 4, 2025. In the filing, the administration argued that the 50% tariffs imposed on most Indian exports are not only about trade disputes but are also a “crucial tool” in pressuring countries like India to scale back purchases of Russian energy, thereby cutting off a key source of funding for Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
This development comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that Trump’s sweeping tariffs were largely illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court held that the act does not give the president authority to impose such tariffs. However, the tariffs were allowed to remain in effect until mid-October while the administration pursues its appeal.
Trump’s team is urging the Supreme Court to expedite its review, warning that striking down the tariffs could cause economic disruption, undermine U.S. trade policy, and damage diplomatic leverage at a critical moment in global politics. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed confidence that the court will uphold the tariffs’ legality. At the same time, the administration is preparing backup options, such as invoking the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, in case the Supreme Court rules against them.
The stakes are high for both domestic and international politics. For the U.S., the case could redefine the extent of executive powers in trade matters. For India, it deepens the strain in relations with Washington, as New Delhi has resisted pressure to fully cut energy ties with Russia. The final decision of the Supreme Court will not only decide the future of these tariffs but may also reshape the trajectory of U.S.–India relations and America’s role in the Ukraine conflict.
