Trump Doubles Tariff on India Over Russian Oil Ties

President Donald Trump is sending a clear message to countries bankrolling Vladimir Putin’s war machine and India is now paying the price.

On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order doubling tariffs on Indian goods, raising the rate from 25% to 50%. The move comes just days after he warned India to stop profiting off Russian oil while civilians in Ukraine suffer under Moscow’s brutal war.

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil,” Trump said earlier this week, “they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”

This latest tariff is part of Trump’s aggressive “Liberation Day” economic strategy, aimed at punishing nations that prop up America’s adversaries. The original 25% tariff takes effect Thursday, with the additional 25% kicking in 21 days later.

Here’s what’s driving Trump’s move:

• Since Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has become one of Russia’s largest oil customers, helping prop up the Kremlin’s economy.

• India has then resold refined Russian oil on the global market pocketing profits while dodging Western sanctions.

• Trump isn’t just targeting India he’s warning all nations: do business with Russia, and you’ll pay a steep price.

The Trump administration has also floated a 100% secondary tariff on Russia, which would penalize any country continuing commerce with Moscow. That could push India’s tariff rate even higher if it refuses to back off its energy partnership with Putin.

Despite not being a top U.S. trading partner, India exports tens of billions of dollars in goods to the American market every year. That includes:

• Refined petroleum

• Pharmaceuticals

• Jewelry and diamonds

• Textiles and apparel

India’s government is crying foul, claiming it’s being “targeted” unfairly, but the numbers speak for themselves. India has dramatically increased its Russian oil purchases since 2022 and it’s time they faced the consequences.

“We are being targeted,” Indian officials claimed this week, while also pointing fingers at the EU and U.S. for continuing indirect trade with Russia.

That argument doesn’t fly with Trump.

This isn’t about trade. This is about global security and the United States under Trump won’t tolerate countries playing both sides. If you’re profiting off Putin’s war, you’re choosing sides, and you shouldn’t expect to enjoy unrestricted access to the American market.

Once again, Trump is proving why he’s the only leader willing to call out global hypocrisy and back it up with action. The Biden administration refused to confront India’s oil trade with Russia, afraid of upsetting diplomatic ties. Trump, on the other hand, is making it clear: you don’t get to fund tyrants and enjoy the perks of American trade.

This is how you lead on the world stage with strength, clarity, and no apologies.

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