Warning Issued on Potential Double Standards in NATO's Trade Dispute with Russia: India's Stance
The international community is grappling with the fallout of potential secondary sanctions over trade with Russia, as the Biden administration and U.S. Congress ramp up efforts to impose tariffs on countries engaging in energy transactions with the Eastern European nation.
In 2025, former U.S. President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on imports from Russia and any country dealing in Russian energy if a peace deal with Ukraine wasn't reached within 50 days. The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 could impose tariffs of up to 500% on such trade.
India, one of the top importers of Russian crude oil, averaged 1.69 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2025. Facing potential economic pressure if it continues substantial Russian energy purchases, India has adopted a cautious but pragmatic approach, maintaining energy security interests amid geopolitical tensions. The country has not publicly committed to disengaging from Russian crude despite U.S. threats, balancing economic interests with geopolitical alignments.
China, another major buyer of Russian oil, imported an average of 1.09 million b/d in 2025. Like India, China appears unlikely to significantly alter its trade behaviour in response to U.S. secondary sanctions, reflecting its strategic partnership with Russia and reluctance to yield to Western pressure.
Brazil's trade volume with Russia is less specific in the sources, but the country is part of the emerging economies where sanctions imposed by the West may be viewed with skepticism or outright resistance. Brazil's response, consistent with many Global South countries, tends to emphasise sovereignty and non-interference, showing reluctance to align fully with secondary sanctions that might hinder its own economic interests or foreign policy autonomy.
The European Union (EU) has taken a more proactive sanctions stance, targeting Russian companies and shadow tankers, while the U.S. has shown reluctance in imposing new sanctions until recently. Secondary sanctions could disrupt global trade flows, particularly in fossil fuels, and could force countries like India and China to choose between their economic needs and access to the U.S. market.
The table below provides a summary of each country's trade with Russia, their response to the secondary sanctions threat, and their geopolitical/economic reasoning.
| Country | Russian Trade (Energy) | Response to Secondary Sanctions Threat | Geopolitical/Economic Reasoning | |-------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | India | ~1.69 million b/d oil | Cautious but maintaining imports despite threats | Energy security, balancing U.S. pressure | | China | ~1.09 million b/d oil | Continuation of imports, unlikely to yield to sanctions | Strategic partnership with Russia, economic interest | | Brazil | Not specified | Likely reluctant to comply fully with secondary sanctions | Emphasis on sovereignty and economic autonomy |
As the global community navigates these complexities, the increasing U.S. willingness to impose secondary sanctions marks a critical escalation but faces practical challenges and uneven global compliance. India, China, and Brazil continue significant physical imports of Russian energy despite U.S. threats, reflecting their strategic and economic priorities, while Brazil and similar emerging economies are cautious about Western sanctions impositions, emphasising sovereignty.
Exports of Russian energy continue to be import staples for countries like India, China, and Brazil, despite the looming threat of secondary sanctions from the U.S. Politics and general news surrounding international trade with Russia reveal that these nations prioritize their strategic and economic interests over geopolitical tensions, as reflected by their cautious responses to potential U.S. sanctions, emphasizing sovereignty and non-interference.
