U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his warning to India, threatening to hike tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi continues buying oil from Russia. In a social media post, Trump accused India of profiting from discounted Russian crude and vowed to "substantially raise" U.S. tariffs on Indian exports.
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” Trump wrote. “I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
New Delhi pushed back, calling Trump's attack "unjustified and unreasonable." A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry said India will "take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security."
The threat follows plans to impose new sanctions on countries buying Russian energy, with a deadline looming unless Moscow ends the Ukraine crisis. So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of backing down.
Despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and its allies, India—Russia's largest buyer of seaborne crude—imported an average of 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June, according to Reuters. New Delhi says these purchases were a necessity after traditional suppliers diverted shipments to Europe.
India has maintained ties with Russia even after the conflict erupted in early 2022, balancing geopolitical pressures with its energy and economic needs. The foreign ministry spokesperson pointed out that many Western nations continue trading with Russia, underscoring what India calls a "double standard."
With both sides standing firm, global observers will watch closely whether Trump's tariff threats force a shift in India's energy strategy—or herald a new chapter in U.S.-India trade tensions.
For young global citizens and entrepreneurs, this unfolding saga highlights how geopolitics can ripple through markets, supply chains, and energy security worldwide. Stay tuned as we break down the latest developments and what they mean for businesses and travelers across the G20.
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Trump again threatens to hike tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil
cgtn.com
