Speaking during a briefing on the United States’ next steps following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump said India’s continued trade in Russian oil remained a point of contention for his administration.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could raise tariffs on Indian imports if New Delhi does not assist with what he described as the “Russian oil issue”, according to remarks reported on Monday.
Speaking during a press briefing on the United States’ next steps following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump said India’s continued trade in Russian oil remained a point of contention for his administration. Oil was also cited as a factor in recent US strikes on Venezuela.
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“We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t help on the Russian oil issue,” Trump was quoted as saying by a Reuters report.
The President referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the address, describing him as a “good guy” who understood Washington’s displeasure. In an audio clip shared by the White House, Trump said, “He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly.”
The comments revive a long-running dispute over India’s purchase of Russian crude, which the Trump administration has repeatedly criticised. That trade was cited as the justification for doubling US tariffs on Indian imports to 50 per cent in August 2025.
Trump’s latest warning comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. It also follows his claim in October that Modi had “assured” him India would stop buying Russian oil. There will be no oil. He’s not buying oil,” Trump said at the time, weeks after the higher tariffs took effect.
India, however, rejected that assertion, saying no such conversation had taken place between the two leaders.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy policies are guided by market conditions and the needs of Indian consumers. Russia remains India’s largest supplier of crude oil.
Also Read | India's Russian oil dilemma: Can New Delhi maintain strategic independence under US pressure?
US officials have previously alleged that Moscow uses proceeds from oil sales to fund the war in Ukraine, and have accused India of “profiteering” by reselling Russian oil. The imposition of steep tariffs on India was widely seen as part of a broader effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
Earlier in December, three Democratic lawmakers had introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives to terminate President Donald Trump's emergency declaration that imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian imports, calling the measures illegal and economically damaging.
Trump had also threatened of imposing new tariffs on agricultural imports, targeting Indian rice, in December.
Trump’s latest remarks risk adding fresh strain to India–US relations, although there have been signs of a thaw in the past. After the tariffs were imposed, Trump said he would “always be friends” with Mr Modi and spoke of a “special relationship” between the two countries, sentiments that were reciprocated by the Indian prime minister.
Published: 05 Jan 2026, 08:39 am IST
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