Donald Trump issues FRESH warning to India over Russian oil, says, ‘US could raise tariffs…’

US President Donald Trump reportedly warned that Washington could further increase customs duties on imports from India if New Delhi does not cooperate on what he describes as the ‘Russian oil problem’. The comments point to renewed friction between the two countries at a time when trade negotiations are ongoing.

Trump’s remarks were in connection with India’s continued purchase of crude oil from Russia, a practice his administration has repeatedly criticized. This problem was previously cited as the reason for a sharp increase in customs duties on Indian goods to 50 percent in August 2025.

Direct Message to New Delhi

In a recent speech, Trump spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in personal terms, calling him a ‘good man’ while making it clear that he was unhappy with India’s stance. According to the audio recording released by the White House, Trump suggested he was aware of Modi’s concerns and emphasized that tariffs could be increased quickly if the US chose to do so.

Reuters quoted the President as saying that higher tariffs would remain an option if India did not help the United States in handling Russian oil exports.

Context of Statements

The comments were made during a briefing focused on Washington’s next steps following the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Energy issues came to the fore in this debate; oil has also played an important role in recent US actions regarding Venezuela.

Trump’s warning comes amid ongoing US-India trade disputes, where tariffs and market access remain sensitive issues for both sides.

Conflicting Claims Regarding Past Assurances

Earlier this year, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had personally assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil. Speaking in October, weeks after the tariff increase took effect, Trump said India would no longer buy such oil. However, New Delhi has flatly rejected this claim, stating that no such commitment has been made.

India has consistently maintained that its energy decisions are driven by domestic demand and market availability rather than political considerations.

Diplomatic Tension and Strategic Concerns

Russia remains India’s largest oil supplier, prompting repeated criticism from US officials. Members of the Trump administration claimed that revenue from these sales helped finance Russia’s war in Ukraine and accused India of profiting from discounted oil, including resale.

Although tensions briefly eased after both Trump and Modi spoke publicly about their ‘special relationship’ following the tariff announcement, the latest warning risks a resurgence of diplomatic tensions. Analysts say a renewed focus on oil trade could complicate efforts to stabilize ties between the two strategic partners.