Trump vows to keep high tariffs on India until Russian oil purchases end

Trump warned India that it would continue facing heavy tariffs if it failed to stop Russian oil purchases

US President Donald Trump said on Oct. 19 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed him New Delhi would halt Russian oil purchases, warning that India would continue facing heavy tariffs if it failed to do so.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had discussed the matter with Modi, who pledged to stop buying Russian oil.

Asked about India’s statement denying knowledge of any such conversation, Trump said New Delhi would continue paying high tariffs if it maintained that stance.

Russian oil is one of the main sources of irritation for Trump in his prolonged trade talks with India, as half of his 50 percent tariff on Indian goods came in response to those purchases.

The US government says oil revenues are funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.

India has become the largest buyer of Russian seaborne oil, which is sold at discounted prices, after Western countries refrained from buying it and imposed sanctions on Moscow over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump said on Oct. 19 that Modi assured him that day that India would halt its purchases of Russian oil. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was unaware of any phone conversation between the two leaders on that day, but added that New Delhi’s main concern is “protecting the interests of the Indian consumer.”

A White House official said on Oct. 20 that India had cut its purchases of Russian oil by half, but Indian sources denied any immediate reduction.