New Delhi: Former US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that imposing tariffs of up to 50% on India strained relations between the two countries. The tariffs were levied as a penalty for India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia despite Western sanctions aimed at pressuring Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
“Look, India was their [Russia’s] biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do,” Trump said during an interview with Fox News. He further added, “That’s a big deal. And it causes a rift with India,” highlighting the diplomatic fallout from the decision.
The tariffs, which escalated from an initial 25% to 50% starting August 27, have triggered widespread outrage in India and heightened anti-US sentiment. The move comes amid Trump’s broader trade war, which has already strained US-India relations. Talks to lower tariffs collapsed earlier this year after India resisted opening up its agricultural and dairy sectors. Despite these tensions, bilateral trade between the two nations remains substantial at over $190 billion annually.
Trump’s administration justified the tariffs as a response to India’s growing energy imports from Russia. “We hold our friends to different standards,” Sergio Gor, Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South Asia, stated. Gor also expressed optimism about improving ties, saying, “I will make it a top priority to ensure that they’re pulled in our direction, not away from us.” He added that negotiations would resume when India’s commerce minister visits Washington next week.
Despite his criticism of India’s stance on Russian oil, Trump clarified that he has not attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally. Gor echoed this sentiment, noting that Trump’s grievances with other world leaders have not extended to Modi.
On a related note, Trump also spoke about his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Yeah. It’s sort of running out and running out fast,” he remarked when asked if his patience with Putin was waning. Trump hinted that harsher measures, including new sanctions and tariffs, could be considered but stressed that Europe must also be on board.
As tensions simmer, the Trump administration continues to seek ways to address trade barriers while maintaining strategic relations with India and its partners.
