U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will maintain “massive” tariffs on India if New Delhi continues purchasing oil from Russia.
This is according to Reuters, as cited by Ukrinform.
“I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
When journalists pointed out that New Delhi denied any such conversation had taken place, Trump replied: “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”
Russian oil has long been a major irritant in U.S.–India trade relations. Roughly half of Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods were imposed in retaliation for India’s continued oil purchases from Russia.
After Western countries abandoned Russian crude and imposed sanctions on Moscow for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India became the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil sold at a discount.
As reported by Ukrinform, Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50% took effect on August 27.
Recently, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would not purchase oil from Russia. However, Indian officials responded indirectly, saying the country’s import policy is guided by national interests, emphasizing energy diversification and adaptation to market conditions.
Photo: The White House