More Sanctions Coming, Says Trump After Hitting India With 50% Tariff Over Russian Oil
Hours after doubling tariffs on India to 50% for its continued purchase of Russian oil, US President Donald Trump has signaled that other countries involved in similar trade could soon face secondary sanctions. The President hinted that India was just the first, with more punitive measures on the way for others, including potentially China.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump was questioned about why the US was singling out India with such steep penalties while other nations, like China and Turkey, also buy Russian oil but face lower tariffs.
His response was ominous: “It’s only been 8 hours. So let’s see what happens.” He then added, “You’re going to see a lot more. You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions.” When pressed specifically on whether he had similar plans for China, which currently faces a 30% US tariff, Trump said, “It may happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen.”
The President’s comments came shortly after he signed an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, a move that came on top of a previously announced 25% levy. This action was a direct penalty for New Delhi’s energy trade with Moscow, which has become India’s largest supplier of crude oil since the war in Ukraine began.
Before the conflict, Russian oil constituted less than 0.2% of India’s imports; it now accounts for a significant portion, with India importing 1.6 million of its 5 million barrels per day from Russia in July. India has strongly reacted to the tariffs, calling them “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and vowing to protect its national interests.
