Donald Trump admits 50 percent tariff on India over Russian Oil purchase has strained ties

“Look, India was their (Russia’s) biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News. “That’s a big deal. And it causes a rift with India.”

The tariffs, announced earlier this summer, sparked outrage in New Delhi and fueled a wave of anti-US sentiment.

India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has continued to buy discounted Russian crude despite Western sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.

Bilateral trade between the US and India is worth more than $190 billion annually, but relations have been fraying amid Trump’s aggressive tariff policy.

Talks aimed at lowering duties collapsed after New Delhi refused to open its agricultural and dairy markets, long seen as sensitive political sectors.

Trump initially slapped a 25% tariff on Indian exports, later doubling it to 50% effective August 27 as what he called “punishment” for India’s increasing reliance on Russian oil.

While Washington has pressed allies to reduce energy ties with Moscow, New Delhi has defended its imports as essential to meeting domestic demand and curbing inflation.