Trump Threatens Higher Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Purchases
US President Donald Trump has warned India of further tariff increases if it continues purchasing Russian crude oil, escalating economic pressure to isolate Moscow. This builds on existing 50% tariffs, with Senator Lindsey Graham crediting US action for India reducing Russian oil imports. India, a major oil consumer, defends its purchases as vital for national energy security, though some refiners are now cautiously exploring alternatives. The dispute highlights the complex interplay of trade, energy, and geopolitics, risking India-US strategic ties.
US President Donald Trump has intensified economic pressure on India, threatening to impose even higher tariffs if New Delhi persists in buying crude oil from Russia. This warning, delivered amidst ongoing trade agreement negotiations, underscores Washington's strategy of using trade policy to enforce geopolitical objectives, particularly its efforts to financially isolate Russia following the Ukraine conflict. The US had already applied a 50% tariff on Indian goods in August 2025, with half of that explicitly targeting India's Russian oil imports.Key congressional allies, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, support this stance, asserting that US tariff pressure has already compelled India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. Graham is actively pushing new legislation to broaden Washington's ability to impose secondary sanctions on nations maintaining trade links with Russia.India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, has become Russia's top oil buyer since 2022, drawn by discounted prices essential for its energy security and economic stability. Indian officials consistently defend these purchases as critical for managing inflation and supporting its vast population. However, US pressure is beginning to affect India's energy calculus, with some major Indian refiners temporarily pausing new Russian crude orders and seeking alternative suppliers. Yet, state-backed entities like Indian Oil Corporation continue purchasing from non-sanctioned Russian producers, reflecting a nuanced approach.This dispute unfolds against a backdrop of broader US-India trade friction, initiated by Trump's initial tariffs in 2025. The situation reveals a dilemma for US foreign policy: while Washington views India as a crucial strategic partner against China, its coercive trade tactics risk alienating New Delhi. For India, the challenge lies in balancing its strategic autonomy with economic necessities in an increasingly polarized global environment, where trade and energy are weaponized tools in international relations. Continued purchases of Russian oil, Trump signals, will incur escalating economic costs.
