Trump Fumbles When Questioned On Uranium Buys From Russia, Pleads Ignorance on US’s Own Russian Imports
US President Donald Trump appeared to be caught off guard on Tuesday when confronted with India’s sharp retort to his threats of increased tariffs over New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases.
In a widely circulated clip, Trump was questioned by a reporter about India’s accusation that the US itself imports key materials from Russia, including uranium and chemical fertilizers, thereby exposing a double standard in Washington’s position.
When asked for his response to India’s claims, a visibly unprepared Trump told news agency ANI, “I don’t know anything about it. I have to check…But we will get back to you on this.” The awkward moment came just a day after the President had taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to lambast India for its continued trade with Moscow.
In his post, Trump had accused India of buying “massive amounts of Russian Oil” and reselling it for “big profits,” while not caring “how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.” He had threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods as a consequence.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had issued a swift and robust response, calling the proposed levies “unjustified and unreasonable.” The ministry directly challenged the American position by highlighting the West’s own significant economic ties with Russia.
The MEA statement pointed out that the United States continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, while the European Union’s trade with Moscow in 2024 amounted to €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services—volumes that dwarf India’s trade with Russia. The MEA concluded its statement by affirming that India “will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
