Trump Warns India on Russian Oil Imports, Hints at Higher US Tariffs

United States President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India, suggesting that Washington could raise tariffs if New Delhi continues to buy oil from Russia. He directly linked the issue to the ongoing Russia Ukraine war, signaling that trade pressure could be used as leverage.

Speaking on the matter, Trump said the US could increase duties on India if it does not cooperate on what he described as the Russian oil issue. He also referenced his conversations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a good man while making it clear that India’s energy ties with Moscow remain a point of concern for his administration.

Trump indicated that India was aware of his dissatisfaction, adding that trade measures could be imposed quickly if needed. His remarks come amid reports that the US plans to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent in August 2025, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian crude as the primary reason.

India is already facing significant trade pressure following the imposition of steep tariffs by the US. American officials have repeatedly argued that India’s oil imports from Russia indirectly support Moscow during the Ukraine conflict, an allegation New Delhi has not accepted.

Trump has expressed frustration over India’s energy decisions and has positioned himself as someone seeking to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. He has held multiple discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including proposing high-profile meetings, but these efforts have not produced meaningful diplomatic progress. A separate engagement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also failed to deliver a clear path toward ending the war.

The situation highlights the growing tension between geopolitical strategy and economic interests, with India’s energy security and US trade policy increasingly intersecting in the shadow of the Ukraine conflict.