News Today: Trump threatens India with tariffs over purchases from Russia Oil Trade

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred fresh international tensions by threatening to “substantially” increase tariffs on India, criticizing its ongoing purchases of Russian oil amidst the Ukraine conflict. Trump made the remarks via his Truth Social platform, accusing India of ignoring the human toll of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and profiting from reselling crude oil on the global market.

Trump wrote, “They [India] don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” reflecting a sharp turn in tone just days after he described India as a “friend.”

India Responds to Tariff Threats

India responded swiftly, calling the remarks “unjustified and unreasonable.” In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal noted that India had only turned to Russia for oil after Europe redirected global supplies post-2022. He further emphasized that the U.S. itself had encouraged India to secure alternative energy sources to stabilize global markets during the early phase of the war.

India also criticized the hypocrisy of U.S. trade practices, pointing out that despite imposing sanctions, the U.S. still conducted $3.5 billion worth of trade with Russia last year.

“India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” Jaiswal asserted, defending the autonomy of India’s oil refineries, which make purchasing decisions based on market-driven factors like price and supply security.

Trump’s Policy and Putin’s Pressure

Though U.S.-Russia ties briefly warmed after Trump returned to office in January, his stance has now hardened. He recently warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe economic penalties if no ceasefire with Ukraine is reached by August 8.

Trump has threatened to impose harsh tariffs on Russian oil exports, signaling frustration with what he now calls the “Russian War Machine.” Meanwhile, he continues to pressure allies like India, accusing them of fueling Moscow’s economy.

India’s Position Remains Firm

Ajay Srivastava, head of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), told Legacy Daily that Trump’s accusations are misleading and politically motivated. He stressed that India’s purchases have been transparent, and played a stabilizing role in global energy markets after Western disruptions.

As global politics heat up ahead of the 2026 elections, this tariff threat may become a flashpoint in U.S.-India trade relations, which have otherwise remained strong in recent years.