Amid escalating tensions over Russian oil imports, U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled down on threats to substantially raise tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s ongoing trade with Moscow. The warning comes even as Trump appeared unaware of the billions of dollars in U.S. imports from Russia—an argument India has repeatedly used to counter American pressure.
“I Don’t Know About It”
When questioned at a White House press conference about U.S. uranium and fertilizer imports from Russia—figures New Delhi had flagged in defense of its own trade with Moscow—Trump said:
“I don’t know anything about it. I have to check it out.”
The press conference was originally scheduled to discuss the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but took a sharp geopolitical turn.
U.S. Still Trades Billions with Russia
Despite tough rhetoric against Moscow, official U.S. import data reveals ongoing American dependence on Russian goods:
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$24.51 billion worth of Russian goods imported since January 2022
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In 2024 alone:
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$1.27 billion in fertilizers
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$624 million in uranium and plutonium
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$878 million in palladium
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This has sparked accusations of double standards, particularly from Indian officials defending their growing crude oil purchases from Russia.
Tariff Threats Intensify
Trump, in an interview with CNBC, stated that he would raise India’s import tariff—currently at 25%—“very substantially” within 24 hours:
“They’re fueling the war machine, and if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy.”
He did not specify a new rate but added that the “main sticking point” was India’s high import tariffs.
Nikki Haley Criticizes Trump’s China Stance
Adding to the controversy, former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley criticized Trump for targeting India while being lenient with China, which she called the #1 buyer of Russian and Iranian oil.
In a pointed message on X (formerly Twitter), Haley said:
“India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause… Don’t burn a relationship with a strong ally like India.”
India Pushes Back
Indian officials have dismissed the criticism as hypocritical, pointing out that Washington continues trade with Moscow in sectors like nuclear fuel, while urging others to stop. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh, doubled down on the “Buy Local” message, highlighting India’s economic self-reliance:
“Whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian.”
What’s Next?
With a high-level meeting with Russian officials scheduled imminently and Trump ramping up pressure, all eyes are on whether Washington will actually follow through with the threatened 100% tariffs, and how India will respond amid geopolitical headwinds.
