President Trump slapped India with increased tariffs Wednesday over the country’s purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs to 50% in a new display of punishment for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump signed an executive order calling for the 25% increase against India as a “secondary” tariff on Russia. It will go into effect 21 days after the signing.
The initial 25% tariff on India, announced last week, will go into effect on Thursday.
The president had threatened the increased tariff earlier this week, saying India’s purchase of Russian oil fuels the Kremlin’s war with Ukraine. Since taking office in January, Mr. Trump has tried without success to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war.
“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,” Mr. 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.”
India has pushed back on Mr. Trump’s claims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has had a friendly relationship with Mr. Trump, urged his citizens to buy local goods instead of U.S. imports.
He also signaled that India will not stop buying Russian oil. Moscow has been the oil supplier to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
In a statement Monday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the country’s purchases of Russian oil “are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer.”
“They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the criticism of India’s purchases are “unjustified and unreasonable” because European countries and the U.S. have continued trade with Russia.
“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” they said.
Mr. Trump has placed a deadline of Friday on Moscow to end its war with Ukraine or face harsh sanctions and penalties. The president has also threatened secondary sanctions on the countries purchasing Russian energy exports.
China also buys oil from Russia, but Mr. Trump has not made similar threats against Beijing.
