WASHINGTON / NEW DELHI — U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his threat to significantly raise import tariffs on goods from India, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine .
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused India of buying vast quantities of Russian crude and reselling it for profit. “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then… selling it on the open market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine,” he wrote. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.”
Trump’s comments follow a recent U.S. announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods. He now says this rate will be raised “very substantially” within 24 hours .
India, which imports 36–40% of its crude oil from Russia—amounting to roughly 1.75 million barrels per day—views these purchases as essential for managing inflation and keeping energy costs in check . In response to Trump’s remarks, India described them as “unjustified and unreasonable,” underscoring that its energy strategy is driven by economic necessity, not political alignment .
Moreover, government officials noted that the U.S. and EU continue to engage in trade with Russia for key materials and energy—a point they say undermines Trump’s moral positioning .
Read Top Stories
Analysts warn that escalating tariffs could strain the $125+ billion trade relationship between the U.S. and India. Indian exports to the U.S.—particularly pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and auto parts—could suffer losses up to $18 billion annually, while the country’s energy bill might swell by an additional $11 billion .
The tension signals a departure from the once-friendly tone of Trump-Modi summits and raises questions about the future of U.S.-India strategic alignment—especially as the U.S. strengthens overtures toward Pakistan .
Notably, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced public criticism of Trump’s tariff remarks, framing them as misguided and politically disruptive. She called instead for the termination of the H1-B visa program and cuts in military aid to Ukraine