Trump threatens India with higher tariffs over Russian oil purchases
The United States may raise tariffs on India if New Delhi does not comply with Washington's demand to limit purchases of Russian oil.
This was stated by US President Donald Trump to reporters aboard Air Force One, according to Ukrinform, which cited Reuters.
"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly," Trump stated.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close associate of Trump who was traveling with him, said that US sanctions against Russian oil companies and increased tariffs on imports from India have already helped reduce Russian oil supplies.
"If you are buying cheap Russian oil, (you) keep Putin's war machine going. We are trying to give the President ability to make that a hard choice by tariffs," Graham emphasized.
According to him, it was the measures initiated by Trump that were one of the main reasons why India is now buying "substantially less Russian oil".
Graham also supports a legislative initiative to impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries, including India, that continue to purchase Russian oil.
Trump's comments came after several months of trade negotiations between the US and India. Last year, US import tariffs on Indian goods rose to 50% as punishment for large-scale purchases of Russian oil. Since the tariffs were imposed, Modi has spoken with Trump at least three times. Last month, India's trade minister held talks with US officials, but no agreement has been reached yet.
As reported by Ukrinform, India has required oil refineries to disclose information about their purchases of Russian and American oil on a weekly basis, amid New Delhi's efforts to conclude a trade agreement with Washington.
Photo: The White House