Tariffs – Trump Officials Double Down, Critical Of India’s Russia Trade Policy

WASHINGTON D.C. -A 25% tariff on Indian imports, along with an unspecified penalty, is set to go into effect today, August 1. The move, communicated via a  social media post by President Donald Trump comes amid U.S. frustration with India’s trade practices and its continued purchase of Russian oil.

In his post, Trump accused India of having “the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers” and some of the world’s highest tariffs. He also connected the new tariffs directly to India’s foreign policy, stating that “at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine, these things are not good.” Trump added that India has “always bought the majority of its military supplies from Russia and is one of the largest buyers of Russian energy, along with China.”

The sentiment from the Trump administration was echoed by other senior officials. In a radio interview with Fox, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while India is a “strategic partner,” its continued purchase of cheap Russian oil is a “point of irritation.” He acknowledged India’s “huge energy needs” but stated that buying sanctioned Russian oil “is helping to sustain the Russian war effort.”

Similarly, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that the entire U.S. trade team, including the President, is “frustrated” with India over stalled trade negotiations. He specifically criticized India for “slow rolling things” at the negotiating table and for buying sanctioned Russian oil and then reselling it as refined products, adding, “So, they have not been a great global actor.” (with IANS inputs)