Trump threatens sharp tariff increase on India over Russian oil trade; New Delhi responds

He wrote about this on Truth Social.

“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. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” Trump stated.

India’s reaction

India’s Foreign Affairs Ministry called Trump’s decision unjustified and unfounded, according to Clash Report citing a statement from the ministry.

“Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals,” the ministry responded.

They stated that India’s imports from Russia are allegedly aimed at ensuring predictable and affordable energy prices for Indian consumers. The Foreign Affairs Ministry promised that India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests.

Background

On July 30, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the introduction of 25% tariffs against India starting August 1, with a penalty, because India buys oil and weapons from Russia when “everyone wants Russia to stop the killings in Ukraine.”

Later, Reuters reported that Indian state-owned oil refineries stopped buying Russian oil due to reduced discounts and warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bloomberg later wrote that at least four tankers loaded with Russian oil were idling off India’s west coast, as purchases of this raw material came under scrutiny amid pressure from the U.S. and the European Union.

On August 2, it became known that at least two vessels carrying Russian oil, which were headed to Indian refineries, were redirected to other destinations after new U.S. sanctions.

Soon after, Reuters, citing two sources in the Indian government, wrote that India intends to continue purchasing oil from Russia despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions.

The White House Deputy Chief of Staff and one of the most influential advisers to the U.S. President, Stephen Miller, accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war against Ukraine by buying oil from Moscow.

India’s largest oil refining company, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), purchased 7 million barrels of oil for September delivery from the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.