US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could raise tariffs on Indian imports if New Delhi fails to cooperate on what he described as the “Russian oil issue”, according to remarks cited by news agency Reuters during a public address.
“We could raise tariffs on India if they don't help on Russian oil issue,” Trump was quoted as saying, linking the warning to ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
Tensions over India’s energy relationship with Russia have resurfaced following President Donald Trump’s remarks, which came months after he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him India would halt purchases of Russian oil.
Trump’s comments coincide with India adjusting its oil import reporting amid ongoing discussions with Washington.
As reported by Reuters on January 2, New Delhi has instructed refiners to submit weekly disclosures of Russian and U.S. oil purchases. Officials said the measure is designed to provide “timely and accurate data" that can be shared with the United States upon request.
The United States last year doubled import tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent as punishment for India’s heavy buying of Russian oil.
New Delhi had earlier denied Trump’s claim, stating that no such discussion had taken place between the US President and Prime Minister Modi.
Last year, Trump intensified his tariff measures, imposing a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods along with an additional 25 percent penalty for purchasing Russian oil, bringing total duties in some categories to 50 percent. The move caused a significant strain in U.S.-India relations.
Negotiations between India and the United States to resolve the tariff dispute have reached a standstill, with Washington seeking to curb high import duties on American agricultural products. New Delhi, however, remains firm on safeguarding its domestic farming and dairy industries.
