US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that his administration’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil has caused a rift in relations between the two countries.
“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 told Fox News in an interview.
The move has sparked outrage in India, leading to a rise in anti-US sentiment after tariffs of up to 50% were imposed on some Indian exports. Trump admitted, “That’s a big deal. And it causes a rift with India,” during the Fox & Friends program.
Tariff Dispute Strains US-India Trade Relations
Bilateral trade between India and the United States, valued at more than $190 billion annually, has been strained due to the tariff escalation. Trump initially imposed additional duties of 25% on imports from India, before doubling them to 50% from August 27, citing New Delhi’s increased oil imports from Russia, which remains under Western sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.
Trade talks between the two nations collapsed after India resisted opening its agricultural and dairy sectors. However, Trump said on Tuesday that negotiations are ongoing and that he would speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting a possible reset.
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Sergio Gor, nominated by Trump as the next US ambassador to India and also named his special envoy for South Asia, called the tariffs a “little hiccup” and said progress was expected when India’s commerce minister visits Washington next week. “We hold our friends to different standards,” Gor said, adding, “I will make it a top priority to ensure that they’re pulled in our direction, not away from us.”
He also pointed out that despite tensions, Trump has not personally attacked PM Modi.
Trump on Putin and Next Steps Against Russia
In the same Fox News program, Trump addressed his relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his patience was “running out.”
“Yeah. It’s sort of running out and running out fast,” he said, while expressing frustration that Putin had not ended the war in Ukraine.
“We’re going to have to come down very, very strong,” Trump added, suggesting that sanctions on banks and oil, along with tariffs, were possible options if European countries joined the effort.
