Trump Threatens Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Imports

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi fails to address Washington’s concerns over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that the US could increase tariffs “very quickly,” signaling his dissatisfaction with India’s energy imports from Russia despite Western sanctions.

The Russian Oil Trade Dilemma

India has emerged as the world’s largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, drawing sharp criticism from Western nations. The United States, which doubled import tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent last year, argues that Russia’s oil revenues finance Moscow’s war effort. Trump emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aware of his displeasure, saying Modi “knew I was not happy” and that it was “important to make me happy.”

Negotiations at a Crossroads

Despite ongoing diplomatic contact between Trump and Modi, trade negotiations have repeatedly stalled over India’s refusal to reduce Russian oil imports and open markets to US agricultural products. Talks collapsed in July after India resisted Trump’s demands regarding agricultural market access. However, recent sanctions imposed by the US and European Union have already reduced Russian oil flows to India, with imports falling to a three-year low of approximately 1.2 million barrels per day in December—a 40 percent decline from June’s peak of 2 million barrels per day.

The standoff highlights the tension between India’s energy security needs and Western pressure to isolate Russia economically.