The White House on Wednesday formally imposed additional tariffs on India, escalating the Trump administration’s campaign to punish countries trading with Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
The new executive order adds a 25% tariff on Indian goods, on top of an existing 25% levy, bringing the total tariff burden to a staggering 50% — one of the highest rates imposed on any U.S. trading partner.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” President Donald Trump stated in the order, invoking executive powers to expand trade penalties under national security justifications. The new tariffs are set to take effect within 21 days.
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While Trump has previously warned India of consequences for its continued purchase of Russian energy and military equipment, the decision marks the first time Washington has concretely penalized New Delhi over its ties to Moscow since the full-scale Ukraine invasion began.
“This is just the beginning,” Trump said on CNBC’s Squawk Box a day earlier. “They’re buying Russian oil, they’re fueling the war machine… and if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy.”
India Hits Back, Says U.S. Hypocrisy on Display
India has responded, labeling the U.S. action as “unjustified” and accusing Washington of targeting New Delhi for pursuing its national energy interests. In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the move was “extremely unfortunate,” especially since other countries continue to buy energy from Russia without facing similar penalties.
“We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” the Indian government said, adding that its oil imports from Russia are driven purely by market factors and the urgent need to ensure energy security for 1.4 billion people.
India also pointed to the hypocrisy of Western countries, noting that many of them maintain commercial relations with Russia even as they pressure others to isolate Moscow.
“It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” the statement said. “Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion [for them].”
Trump’s executive order goes beyond India to task administration officials with identifying other nations importing Russian oil, directly or indirectly, and to recommend punitive actions, which could include tariffs or other trade restrictions.
The move suggests that the Trump administration is preparing to turn its sanctions and tariffs toolkit into a global enforcement mechanism against Russian energy — a strategy that risks dividing allies and undermining broader trade relationships.
In the past two weeks, Trump has intensified his rhetoric, warning that any country buying from Russia will be considered “complicit” in prolonging the war in Ukraine. While European allies have largely complied with phased bans, India — which has historically charted an independent foreign policy — has ramped up its Russian crude intake since 2022, often refining it for resale in global markets.
Why the Tariff Matters — and Why It’s Dangerous
India is one of the United States’ key strategic partners in Asia, and the move to slap a 50% tariff could destabilize bilateral ties that have deepened over shared concerns about China. The U.S. and India have expanded defense cooperation, tech investments, and intelligence sharing in recent years. But the tariff marks a sharp departure from recent efforts to woo New Delhi into closer alignment with Western interests.
Analysts say the decision may play well domestically for Trump, but it risks sending the wrong message globally.
There are also concerns that the tariff could backfire economically. India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services to the United States. A 50% tariff could result in higher costs for American companies and consumers, while pushing India to retaliate — or worse, turn further toward Russia and China.
Global Energy Fault Lines Are Hardening
The tariff underscores the increasingly fragmented global energy order. While the U.S. has tried to rally support for isolating Russia, many countries in the Global South — including India, Brazil, and even parts of the Middle East — continue to balance their interests rather than picking sides.
New Delhi has repeatedly said it cannot be expected to cut off an affordable and stable energy source, particularly when Western nations — including some NATO members — continue buying Russian LNG, fertilizer, and commodities under various exemptions.
In short, Trump’s action reflects an escalating clash between moral posturing and economic realism, with India now caught in the crossfire of that contradiction.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, in defense of India, dismissed Trump’s tariff threats as “attempts to force countries to stop trade relations with Russia,” declaring that “sovereign countries should have… the right to choose their own trade partners.”