Washington [US], August 16 (ANI): US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News, said that Russia has lost India as an oil client while discussing the economic pressures influencing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to come to the table for talks.
When asked about the economic aspect of Putin’s negotiations, Trump pointed to India’s role. “Well, they lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot… And if I did secondary sanctions, it would be devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I’ll do it, maybe I won’t have to do it,” Trump said during the interview aboard Air Force One.
Trump’s remarks follow his recent decision to impose a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s oil trade with Russia. Just days earlier, on August 7, he had announced an additional 25 percent tariff on India and later suggested that more “secondary sanctions” could be imposed in connection with the dispute.
When asked about India being singled out while other countries such as China also purchase Russian oil, Trump responded, “It’s only been eight hours. So let’s see what happens. You’re going to see a lot more… You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions.” He also hinted that his administration could impose additional measures on China.
On the possibility of enacting further tariffs on Beijing, Trump said, “Could happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen.”
Last week, Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from India. According to the order issued by the White House, the decision was based on national security and foreign policy concerns, citing India’s imports of Russian oil as posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods rose to 50 percent. While the initial duty took effect on August 7, the additional levy will come into force after 21 days, applying to all Indian imports except those already in transit or meeting specific exemptions.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the US move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and asserted that New Delhi would take “all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”
In an official statement, the MEA said, “The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”
“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,” the statement added. “We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the MEA stressed.
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