Islamabad 6 August : U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would impose new tariffs on India within the next 24 hours if the country does not scale back its purchases of discounted Russian oil.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Ohio, Trump accused India of “funding the Russian war machine” by continuing to import crude from Moscow despite Western sanctions. “If India wants access to our markets, they can’t bankroll Putin,” Trump said. “I will slap tariffs on Indian goods — and I mean big ones — starting tomorrow if they don’t back off.”
While no official action has been taken yet, Trump’s remarks have sparked concern in New Delhi and among global trade observers. The Biden administration has previously raised concerns about India’s energy ties with Russia but stopped short of punitive measures, citing strategic partnerships and global energy stability.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has significantly increased its Russian oil imports since the Ukraine war began in 2022, taking advantage of deep discounts amid Western restrictions on Russian crude.
Indian officials have repeatedly defended the purchases, arguing that they are made in the country’s energy security interest, and do not violate any international laws or sanctions.
Trump’s latest threat adds to growing uncertainty in global trade as the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears. Analysts say the move could have major implications for India-U.S. economic relations, which have deepened in recent years across defense, technology, and energy sectors.
There was no immediate response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
