Trump Slams India Over Russian Oil Trade, Warns of ‘Substantial’ Tariff Hike for Profiting Off Ukraine War

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday launched a sharp attack on India once again for its alleged continued purchase and resale of Russian oil, accusing New Delhi of profiting from the Ukraine war and warning of a major tariff hike on Indian exports to the U.S. 

Image Source: BasuAshis

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed India was indifferent to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and leveraging the conflict for economic gain. 

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then... 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,” Trump wrote. 

“Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”

The warning comes amid growing Trump administration frustration over India’s refusal to align with the West on isolating Russia. 

Officials say India’s energy and defense deals with Moscow undermine U.S.-led sanctions and dilute pressure on the Kremlin.

Earlier on Monday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller echoed the President’s remarks, calling India’s conduct “astonishing” during a Fox News interview. 

“India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil,” Miller said, accusing New Delhi of maintaining “massive tariffs” on American goods and exploiting U.S. immigration policies.

Trump has also threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, signaling a dramatic shift in the U.S.-India trade dynamic. 

Despite his personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump warned that “the US needs to get real” about India's role in financing Russia’s war.

He had lashed out at India’s trade practices, calling them “strenuous and obnoxious,” and accused both Russia and India of dragging each other into economic decline: “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

Indian officials have not responded directly to the latest remarks. 

Last week, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said India’s energy purchases are based on market conditions. 

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal had earlier told Parliament that India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and will continue to act in its national interest.

The exchange marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Washington, potentially threatening the broader U.S.-India relationship at a time when both sides have deepening economic and security cooperation.