During a recent interaction, President Donald Trump addressed concerns regarding his actions related to Russia, specifically focusing on India’s oil purchases. On September 3rd, Trump stated that his administration had implemented initial sanctions against India in response to its acquisition of Russian oil, suggesting that further measures were under consideration. He estimated that this action had already cost Moscow hundreds of billions of dollars, and he mentioned that additional sanctions, referred to as “phase two” and “phase three,” were still being evaluated.
The comments were made during a meeting in the Oval Office with Polish President Karol Navrocki. Trump’s response came after a Polish journalist questioned him about the absence of action against Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Trump’s expressed dissatisfaction. The journalist pointed out that while Trump had voiced disapproval of Putin, no concrete measures had been taken. This question visibly irritated Trump.
Trump retorted, “How can you claim no action has been taken? Would you say that imposing secondary sanctions on India, the second-largest purchaser outside of China, is not a significant action? Is that not action? It has cost Russia hundreds of billions of dollars. Are you suggesting that is not action? Furthermore, I have not yet enacted the second or third phases. So, when you say there has been no action, perhaps you need to find a new career.”
Trump also clarified that India had been given a clear warning. “I stated a couple of weeks ago that if India purchased oil, they would face significant issues, and that is exactly what happened. Therefore, do not bring that up with me.”
In response to a query regarding Putin’s presence alongside Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping at a Beijing military parade and the potential for secondary sanctions on Moscow, Trump stated that his government had already initiated action against Moscow by imposing sanctions on India. He stated, “I have already taken measures concerning India, and we are doing the same with other matters.”
He noted that India is the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and suggested that India might face additional consequences if it continued importing energy from Moscow. The US has temporarily suspended additional tariffs on China until November, but substantial tariffs have been imposed on India. Trump has implemented a 25 percent tariff on India and an additional 25 percent tariff on its Russian oil purchases. These new measures, which took effect on August 27th, have effectively doubled the duties on Indian goods, raising the total tariff to 50 percent.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that he would not compromise the interests of farmers, livestock keepers, and small businesses. He warned that, although the pressure may increase, they would endure it. India has characterized the tariffs imposed by the US as unfair and maintains that it will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security, much like any other major economy.