‘Trump singling out India, sabotaging US-India relationship’: Democrats slam additional tariff for importing Russian oil

In a statement on X on Thursday, the committee’s Democrats said, “Instead of imposing sanctions on China or others purchasing larger amounts of Russian oil, Trump is singling out India with tariffs, hurting Americans and sabotaging the US-India relationship in the process.”

India faced the steepest tariff hike, which was announced on August 6 and took effect on August 27, even as China and Turkey — also major importers of Russian oil — were largely spared, facing tariffs of 30 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Responding to the penalty tariff announcement on August 6, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the US action “extremely unfortunate” and “unjustified,” noting that the country’s energy imports are guided by market realities and the need to ensure energy security for 1.4 billion people.

“We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests,” the statement said.

During his visit to Moscow last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India was “very perplexed” at the US’ decision to levy a 50 per cent tariff on India. Days ago, Indian envoy to Russia Vinay Kumar also emphasised that trade takes place on a ‘commercial basis’ and that India will buy oil where it benefits the country.

Posting a clipping of a New York Times report which said the decision to impose secondary tariffs was focused solely on India, the Committee said, “It’s almost like it’s not about Ukraine at all.”

US Vice President J D Vance had said Sunday that President Trump applied “aggressive economic leverage”, including “secondary tariffs on India” to force Russia to stop bombing Ukraine. Vance’s remarks came a day after Jaishankar had said that the US tariff was being wrongly “presented as an oil issue”.

The US has alleged that India’s purchases of Russian crude oil are funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine, a charge strongly rejected by India. On Saturday, Jaishankar said, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business… If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.