President Donald Trump on Monday again threatened to raise tariffs on India over its Russian oil purchases, once again infusing geopolitics and international security into his trade war economic policy.
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
Trump’s threat marks the second time in under a week that he has attacked India for its dealings with Russia. Last Wednesday, Trump announced he was issuing 25 percent tariffs on New Delhi due to what he identified as longstanding trade barriers. But he previewed an additional penalty for India’s trade with Moscow in military equipment.
The promised tariff hikes come even as the White House has hinted for months that it was close to a trade deal with India. Vice President JD Vance’s trip to the country in April — mere weeks after Trump’s tariff “liberation day” — only fueled optimism that an agreement was coming.
Trump is also set to levy economic penalties on Russia as he continues to push for a diplomatic end to Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Russia must agree to a ceasefire by Aug. 8 or face sanctions, the president said last week.
