Trump Announces 50% Tariff on India for Buying Russian Oil

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a steep 50% tariff on goods imported from India, citing its continued purchase of Russian oil as a key reason, CNN reported on Wednesday.

The decision, outlined in an executive order posted on the White House website, includes a 25% tariff set to take effect immediately and an additional 25% tariff taking effect later this month. The order marks Trump’s first use of secondary sanctions targeting countries the U.S. accuses of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, but they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits,” Trump said on social media. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine.”

The order declares that India is “currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil” and that it is “necessary and appropriate” to apply the tariffs.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded, defending its energy purchases as “based on market factors” and essential for the energy security of 1.4 billion people. The ministry called the tariffs “extremely unfortunate” and said India will take “all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”