 "US President Donald Trump and some of his officials from the administration have been pressuring India to forego its oil trade with Russia in the past one week. File image/Reuters")
US President Donald Trump on Thursday hinted that there will be no trade negotiations with India until “issues” regarding New Delhi’s purchase of oil from Russia are resolved. His remarks came from the Oval Office, while he was taking questions from reporters.
When ANI asked if Trump expects increased trade negotiations with India , the POTUS vehemently denied such a prospect. The ties between India and the US soured after the Trump administration raised tariffs on Indian goods by nearly 50 per cent. “No, not until we get it resolved," Trump replies to ANI’s query.
In the Wednesday Executive Order, the Trump administration maintained that New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil is the reason behind the high American duties against Indian goods. However, India argued that other nations trading with Russia extensively are not assessed on the same parameters.
Trump’s tirade with India
Trump has set himself on a continued tirade against India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear during a Lok Sabha session on July 29 that “no world leader asked India to stop Operation Sindoor "; therefore, fact-checking Trump without naming him. As of now, Trump has claimed 25 times that he ensured a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, using what he called “trade as a tool”.
A day after PM Modi’s proclamation, Trump flagged India’s energy and defence ties with Russia and announced 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the country, “plus a penalty". “They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE," Trump posted on Truth Social that day.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTrump eventually imposed an additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, taking the total to nearly 50 per cent. Meanwhile, on August 4, the Ministry of External Affairs responded to the matter and termed the levies as “ unjustified and unreasonable ".
In the statement, the Indian ministry called out the double standards of the United States and the European Union over their trade ties with Russia. The statement also emphasised how the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride from Russia for its nuclear industry despite the war raging on.
After Trump announced additional tariffs, on August 8, MEA described the move as “ extremely unfortunate ". “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the statement said.
In his first response to the tariffs, PM Modi made it clear that India will not compromise on the interests of the farmers and is ready to “ pay a heavy price for it ". “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority," PM Modi said. “India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it," he said.