US can fast raise tariffs if India continues buying Russian oil: Trump

“Modi’s a very good guy. Yes. He’s 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, and it would be very bad for them…And I’ll tell you something. The Russian economy is lousy,” Trump was quoted as saying by global news wires.

The US can ‘very quickly’ raise tariffs on India if the latter continues to trade with Russia, especially in oil, President Donald Trump recently told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“Modi’s a very good guy….He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy….And we can raise tariffs on them very quickly, and it would be very bad for them,” Trump was quoted as saying.

The United States imposed an additional 25-per cent tariff on India in August last year for its continued purchase of Russian oil.

India has expanded its import of crude from Russia since the latter’s war with Ukraine started in February 2022. Such imports grew to over $50 billion in the fiscal 2024-25 (FY25). Between April and October 2025, India imported nearly $31.6 billion worth Russian crude, according to data from the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The increase in Russian oil imports is in a large part due to the price cap imposed by the G7 nations at the end of 2022. However, Trump has been pushing India to purchase more American energy products.

The imports of Russian crude have fallen by around 10 per cent year on year.

However, India’s import of Russian oil rose to a six-month high in terms of volume and value in November last year, with its share in India’s overall oil imports rising to 35 per cent.

At the same time, India has also raised its purchases of American oil, which jumped to a seven-month high in November 2025, with the United States accounting for nearly 13 per cent of India’s oil imports that month.

Washington has also been looking at a legislation, pushed by Senator Lindsey Graham, allowing its administration to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on countries continuing to trade with Russia.

“I was at the Indian ambassador’s house about a month ago, and all he wanted to talk about is how they’re buying less Russian oil. Would you tell the president to relieve the tariff? This stuff works. So I’m hoping we’ll bring the bill up, and it’s from zero to 500,” Graham told reporters on Air Force One.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)