Trump Threatens Higher Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025.

US President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his threat to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, prompting India to call the remarks “unjustified” and to pledge protection of its economic interests.

In a social media post, Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and reselling much of it on the open market for “big profits,” while ignoring the toll of the war in Ukraine. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA,” he wrote.

India’s foreign ministry responded that it would “take all necessary measures to safeguard national interests and economic security,” rejecting the targeting of India as “unjustified and unreasonable.”

Trump has warned that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia and on countries purchasing its energy exports unless Moscow moves to end its three-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine — a prospect Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of accepting.

Over the weekend, senior Indian officials told reporters that oil imports from Russia will continue despite US threats. India, the largest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, imported an average of 1.75 million barrels per day from January to June, citing market necessity after traditional supplies shifted to Europe early in the conflict.

The Indian spokesperson also pointed to the West’s own trade with Russia, noting that “the very nations criticising India are themselves engaged in bilateral trade with Moscow.”

Last week, major Indian refiners temporarily paused Russian oil purchases amid narrowing discounts and fears of possible US tariffs. However, government officials denied any change in policy. Indian Oil Corp has recently bought seven million barrels from suppliers in the US, Canada, and the Middle East.

Tensions are further strained by Trump’s repeated public claims of brokering an India‑Pakistan ceasefire in May, a move that frustrated New Delhi. Analysts warn that India’s ongoing energy and defence ties with Moscow could be complicated by the unpredictability of Trump’s foreign policy stance toward Russia.