Trump Warns of Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil

United States President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Washington could impose higher tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi fails to further reduce its purchases of Russian oil. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump highlighted the potential for swift trade actions amid ongoing bilateral tensions over energy imports.

Trump described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in positive terms, stating, "Modi's a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy." He added that India engages in significant trade with the United States and that tariffs could be raised quickly, emphasizing the economic leverage available to Washington. The comments came in response to questions about India's continued imports of discounted Russian crude, which have drawn scrutiny from U.S. officials concerned about supporting Moscow's economy.

The United States doubled import tariffs on certain Indian goods to 50 percent last year, with officials attributing part of the measure, including a 25 percent component, to India's heavy reliance on Russian oil. Despite these penalties, India's exports to the U.S. increased notably in November, bolstering New...