With a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or have its oil customers face secondary tariffs, Trump has found a novel, but risky, use for his favorite trade tool.

Tariffs on Indian exports to the United States will surge to 50 percent by late August, as part of an effort by President Trump to pressure Russia into resolving its war in Ukraine.

Trump suggested that Russia’s economic potential is being wasted due to global pressures and U.S. tariffs. “Their economy is not doing well right now because it’s been very well disturbed by this,” he said, singling out India’s purchases of Russian oil.