N.Y, Jan 05: US President Donald Trump has once again placed India under trade pressure, warning that tariffs on Indian exports could be increased further if New Delhi does not align with Washington on the Russian oil question.
The statement has revived concerns in India’s policy and business circles, especially as exporters are still absorbing the impact of 50% import duties imposed by the US in August 2025.
Trump’s remarks came during a briefing that focused largely on global oil politics following the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
While outlining Washington’s posture on energy and security, Trump linked India’s oil purchases from Russia to a wider geopolitical effort aimed at constraining Moscow’s war economy.
“We can raise tariffs very quickly”
In unusually direct language, Trump referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by name, offering personal praise while underscoring dissatisfaction with India’s continued engagement with Russian energy suppliers.
“He knew I was not happy… They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said, according to an official audio release. He later reinforced the message, saying tariff hikes remain an option if India does not assist the US on Russian oil.
For Indian exporters, the warning is not abstract. The US had already doubled duties on Indian goods to 50% last August, a move widely interpreted as punishment for India’s refusal to curb Russian crude imports despite sustained diplomatic pressure.
The latest threat also reopens an unresolved dispute over what was actually discussed between Trump and Modi last year.
In October 2025, Trump publicly claimed that Modi had assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, declaring that India would buy “no oil” from Moscow.
Indian officials swiftly pushed back, saying no such commitment was made and describing Trump’s remarks as a mischaracterisation of bilateral discussions. New Delhi has consistently maintained that it does not negotiate energy sourcing under external pressure.
Media Reportsย
