August 3, 2025 – Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a renewed warning to India, threatening to significantly raise tariffs on Indian imports to the U.S. if the country continues to purchase oil from Russia.
“India not only buys massive quantities of Russian oil, but then sells most of it on the open market at a huge profit. They don’t care how many people are being killed in Ukraine by Russia’s war machine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added:
“Because of this, I will substantially increase the tariffs India pays to the United States.”
Trump did not disclose specific numbers but reiterated his frustration with India’s role in what he called a profiteering scheme that indirectly supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Last week, Trump had already proposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, warning of further punitive measures. However, he once again withheld details on what those penalties might entail.
Over the weekend, two Indian government sources told Reuters that India will continue buying oil from Russia, regardless of Trump’s rhetoric, citing energy security and economic pragmatism as key priorities.
India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has emerged as a major buyer of discounted Russian crude following Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Much of that oil is refined and re-exported, including to markets in Europe and the U.S.
Analysts say Trump’s tariff threats, if implemented, could strain U.S.-India trade relations and complicate Washington’s efforts to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific through alliances like the Quad.
