‘Not Until…’: Trump Halts Trade Talks with India Over Russian Oil Purchases
Donald Trump stated that trade negotiations with India will not resume until the matter of Russian oil imports is “settled”.
US President Donald Trump, on Thursday (local time), said that trade negotiations with India are on hold until New Delhi’s energy ties with Russia are “resolved”.
He was responding to a reporter who asked whether he expected progress in trade talks following his imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
“No, not until we get it resolved,” Trump replied.
Trump’s Criticism of India
On Wednesday, Trump signed an Executive Order slapping an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, increasing the total tariff to 50%. The move was justified by Washington citing India’s continued oil trade with Russia—a matter India’s Ministry of External Affairs had already addressed earlier this week.
Trump’s criticism of India has intensified recently, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Lok Sabha on July 29, where he clearly said that “no world leader asked India to stop Operation Sindoor.” This was widely seen as a response to Trump’s repeated claim—made more than 25 times—that he had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, using trade as leverage.
The very next day, on July 30, Trump attacked India’s defence and energy relations with Russia, imposing the new 25% import tariff, in addition to what he described as a “penalty”.
“They’ve always purchased the bulk of their military hardware from Russia, and are among Russia’s biggest energy buyers—alongside China—at a time when the world wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine. This is not acceptable. Therefore, INDIA will pay a 25% tariff, plus a penalty,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The so-called penalty turned out to be an additional 25% levy on Indian imports.
India’s Reaction to Trump’s Tariff Threats
India strongly criticised Trump’s move to raise tariffs on August 4, calling them “unjustified and unreasonable”. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also accused the US and European Union of double standards regarding their trade relations with Russia.
India pointed out that the United States still imports uranium hexafluoride from Russia to power its nuclear plants, despite criticising others for their trade with Moscow.
After Trump’s announcement of the additional 25% tariff on August 6, the MEA issued a sharp response, calling the decision “extremely unfortunate.”
“It is extremely unfortunate that the US has chosen to impose extra tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also undertaking in their own national interest. These actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all necessary steps to defend its national interests,” the MEA said.
PM Modi Reaffirms Commitment to Farmers
Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that India will not compromise on the interests of farmers, even if it comes at a cost.
“For us, our farmers’ interests are paramount,” PM Modi said. “India will never compromise on the interests of our farmers, fishermen and dairy producers. I am prepared to pay a heavy price for that. India is prepared.”
India has consistently resisted opening its agriculture and dairy sectors to foreign competition, arguing that doing so could threaten the livelihoods of millions in rural India.
