Trump denounced India on Monday in a social media post that he bought and resold “a massive amount” of “large amounts” of Russian oil “for big profits,” Al Jazeera reported.
“They don’t care how many Ukraine people are killed by Russian war machines,” the US president wrote. “For this reason, I will effectively raise the tariffs paid by India to the US. Thank you for being aware of this issue!!!”
He did not specify the rate of tariffs or when they would be effective. According to US government data, the US imported $87.4 billion into Indian goods in 2024.
Last week, Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s tax on US products and Russian oil and military equipment purchases.
Later on Monday, India rejected Western criticism of its business deal with Russia, noting that the US and European countries have continued to import Russian goods and energy products since the war.
Randhir Jayzwar, a spokesman for India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said New Delhi’s imports were “to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for Indian consumers.”
“In this background, India’s targeting is unfair and unreasonable,” Jaiswal said in a statement. “Like other major economies, India will take all the necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security.”
According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA), India has been buying Russian oil at a discounted price since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, unleashing severe Western sanctions on Russia, including the energy sector.
MNA