Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on India's Russian Oil Purchases

In a significant move, President Trump has authorized a 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil, pushing the total tariff on Indian goods to 50%. This order is part of broader U.S. efforts to counteract Russian aggression in Ukraine and has drawn criticism from New Delhi.

U.S. President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order on Wednesday that imposes an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its ongoing purchases of Russian oil. This action raises the cumulative tariff rate on Indian goods entering the United States to a staggering 50%, placing it among the highest tariffs levied by the U.S. The new tariff will take effect on goods for consumption or those withdrawn from warehouses 21 days following the issuance of the order, as specified in the executive order.

Trump previously warned of such levies, stating India's actions demonstrate a disregard for the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, remarking, "They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine." The White House justified this decision by underscoring the continuous threat posed by the Russian Federation to U.S. national security and foreign interests, asserting that India's imports of Russian oil undermine U.S. initiatives to counteract Russia’s aggressive actions.

The White House asserted that India's importation and later resale of Russian oil helps reinforce the Russian economy, aiding its military endeavors. This tariff aims to dissuade nations from bolstering Russia's economic capabilities. Following this, the U.S. government indicated it would evaluate other countries' oil imports from Russia and potentially recommend further actions to President Trump.

This tariff move comes on the heels of negotiations led by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow, focusing on achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine. India has condemned Trump's tariff threat as "unjustified and unreasonable," emphasizing that it began its oil imports from Russia after traditional oil supplies to Europe were disrupted due to the conflict.

India's Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, also highlighted that the U.S. had earlier encouraged India to procure Russian gas for stabilizing global energy markets. Furthermore, India criticized the U.S. for imposing tariffs while continuing its own trade relations with Russia, noting that the U.S. conducted approximately $3.5 billion worth of trade with Russia last year despite existing sanctions. India's commitment to protect its economic interests and national security remains steadfast, as reiterated by its Ministry of External Affairs.