<h1>President's adviser defends 50% tariffs on country's goods over purchases of discounted Russian oil, cites national security</h1> A senior trade adviser to the US President published an op-ed accusing a major Asian economy of converting discounted Russian crude into exported refined products, funding Russia's war effort and undermining Western sanctions, and arguing its high tariffs and non-tariff barriers harm US exporters. The adviser defends a recent executive order imposing a 25% national-security tariff on that country's goods tied to its Russian oil purchases, adding to an existing 25% reciprocal tariff (50% total), effective Aug. 27, and frames this as lawful economic pressure to cut Russia's financing. The targeted country called the measures unjustified and said it will protect its national interests.