A senior official from the Trump administration has strongly defended the recent move to impose additional tariffs on India, arguing that there is “no comparison” between India’s extensive oil trade with Russia and the United States’ limited imports from Moscow.
Speaking to ANI, the US official said, “There is simply no comparison between the hundreds of billions of dollars of growing Indian imports of Russian oil, and the modest U.S. imports of Russian goods, which amount to less than 1% of the value of Indian imports.”
The official further accused India of “intentionally taking advantage” of the ongoing war in Ukraine to boost its energy deals with Russia.
“The U.S. imports from Russia are limited to commodities for which we currently lack viable alternatives — and we are working aggressively to build domestic substitutes. By contrast, India has intentionally taken advantage of the war in Ukraine to dramatically increase its purchases of Russian crude, even though there are roughly 40 other major crude suppliers that could meet India’s needs,” the official added.
The remarks come in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s signing of an Executive Order on Wednesday, which levies an additional 25 percent tariff on all Indian imports. Citing national security and foreign policy concerns, the order claims that India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil present an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
Following this decision, the total tariff on Indian goods entering the US will stand at 50 percent. The initial tariff takes immediate effect from August 7, while the additional 25 percent levy will be enforced after 21 days. Exemptions apply to goods already in transit or meeting specific conditions. The Executive Order also allows for future adjustments depending on developments in India-Russia trade or international responses.
India swiftly condemned the move. In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the US action “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The MEA emphasized that India’s energy imports are driven by market considerations and are essential to meeting the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens.
“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues,” the MEA said. “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”
India reiterated that it would take “all actions necessary” to safeguard its national interests in light of the new US tariffs, setting the stage for a potential diplomatic and trade standoff between the two strategic partners.