Hours after the US President slapped a further 25 per cent on India, bringing the overall to 50 per cent, Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose secondary sanctions. During a press interplay, US President Donald Trump was questioned about why India was being singled out for buying oil from Russia when many other nations do the identical. In response, Trump stated, “It’s only been 8 hours. So let’s see what happens. You’re going to see a lot more. You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions.”Amid deepening India-Russia oil ties, the US seems to be stepping up sanctions in opposition to New Delhi, signaling a broader technique by President Trump to economically isolate Russia within the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.
Trump signed an government order on Wednesday saying that India will face an additional 25% tariff over and above the 25% fee introduced final week. While the 25% fee is efficient from August 7, 2025, the newly introduced further tariff will come into place 21 days from now.Following this directive, Indian imports to the US, aside from a restricted exclusion record, will face a mixed tariff of fifty%.”The ad valorem duty imposed…shall be in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports…,” the order stated.“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent,” it stated.
India’s response was swift and agency, with the ministry of exterior affairs denouncing the tariff enhance as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The ministry emphasised that India’s Russian oil imports are pushed by market issues and power safety necessities for its 1.4 billion inhabitants.The MEA assertion additional asserted India’s dedication to defending its nationwide pursuits, describing the US resolution as detrimental to their strategic partnership and mutual respect ideas.“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. 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. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the MEA stated.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first Chinese go to in over seven years amidst deteriorating US relations, Trump has instructed comparable tariff measures in opposition to China.When questioned about potential sanctions on China, Trump acknowledged the chance, stating that further secondary sanctions could be carried out to strain Russia. He confirmed that after India’s case, comparable actions might be prolonged to other nations, probably together with China.“It may happen… I can’t tell you yet,” Trump stated. “We did it with India. We’re doing it probably with a couple of others. One of them could be China.”