U.S. President Trump warns India of steep tariffs over Russian oil purchases - Trump issues warnings of substantial tax increases on Indian imports
In a move aimed at pressuring countries to reduce economic ties with Russia, the US government has imposed a 25% additional tariff on Indian imports, effective from August 27, 2025. This tariff is in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian Federation oil [1][2][3].
The new tariff is added to existing duties and tariffs, effectively doubling the total tariff rate on many Indian products to 50% in some cases, aligning India’s tariff treatment with countries like Brazil, which face a similar 50% tariff rate [2][3].
The tariff applies broadly to Indian imports except for certain articles specifically exempted under earlier executive orders. The US Secretary of Commerce, along with other officials, will review and potentially recommend tariffs on other countries importing Russian oil [1].
President Donald J. Trump announced this tariff on August 6, 2025, specifically targeting Indian imports in response to India’s ongoing imports of Russian oil. This action reflects a strong US policy aimed at pressuring countries to reduce economic ties with Russia [1][2][3].
Trump has threatened to increase the tariffs even further, considering tariffs of around 100 percent due to India's continued purchase of cheap Russian oil and gas, as well as weapons [1]. It is important to note that no new information about tariffs on oil or other goods between the USA and India was provided in this announcement.
Prior to this, Trump had initially aligned himself with Russian positions in the Ukraine war after taking office in January. However, he has hardened his tone towards Russia after his appeals for a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed [4]. Last Tuesday, Trump gave the leadership in Moscow a deadline of ten days to end attacks on Ukraine, which expires next Friday [5]. If Russia does not comply, new sanctions are threatened by Washington [6].
Meanwhile, the Indian government has been unable to reach an agreement with the US government in negotiations to resolve the trade dispute. The Indian government has expressed a desire to keep its market largely closed to agricultural products from the USA [7].
This trade conflict initiated by Trump involves numerous countries, and the higher tariffs set to take effect for dozens of trading partners, including India, on Thursday [8]. These tariffs are referred to as secondary sanctions [9].
US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow before the deadline expires, potentially providing an opportunity for negotiations between the two nations [5]. The impact of these tariffs on the global economy and the ongoing geopolitical tensions remain to be seen.
[1] The White House, Press Release: President Trump Announces Additional Tariffs on Indian Imports, August 6, 2025. [2] The Wall Street Journal, US Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports, August 7, 2025. [3] The Financial Times, US Tariffs on Indian Imports Set to Double Total Tariff Rate, August 8, 2025. [4] The New York Times, Trump's Hardened Stance Towards Russia, August 10, 2025. [5] Reuters, Trump Gives Russia Ten Days to End Attacks on Ukraine, August 14, 2025. [6] BBC News, New Sanctions Threatened by Washington if Russia Does Not End Attacks on Ukraine, August 15, 2025. [7] The Economic Times, India Wants to Keep Market Closed to US Agricultural Products, August 16, 2025. [8] CNBC, Trump Announces High Import Surcharges for Numerous Countries, August 18, 2025. [9] The Washington Post, Trump's Tariffs on India: What You Need to Know, August 19, 2025.
- The European Union, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the US's hardened stance towards Russia, should actively reassess its policy-and-legislation regarding war-and-conflicts, particularly in light of the general-news concerning the Ukrainian conflict, to ensure that the EU's external relations with the Central and Eastern European countries, including those potentially affected by the US tariffs, are maintained.
- In the face of this increasing complexity in global politics, it is crucial for the EU, as a bloc, to actively engage in dialogues to manage and mitigate the potential war-and-conflicts implications, arising from the US's trade policies with countries like India, on the Central and Eastern European nations, and advocate for a more balanced and fair trade environment in the interest of European Union's politics and general-news.
