Fine Print of Trump’s Tariffs on India: Frustration, Double Standards, and the Russian Oil Excuse?
The United States has increased tariffs on India, citing Russian oil imports. However, experts suggest that trade-related demands, inconsistent standards, and Trump’s personal grievances may be the real motivations behind this move.
When US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 6 August, imposing an extra 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports, the stated reason was clear: New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil was said to be “fuelling Russia’s war machinery” in Ukraine.
This move raises the total American tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent — currently the highest imposed on any major trading partner except Brazil. The order allows for a 21-day implementation period, should India fail to alter its policy.
However, a deeper reading of the order and an assessment of who has — and hasn’t — been targeted, reveals a more complicated reality, according to several observers.
The Official Explanation: India’s Russian Oil Purchases
Trump’s official justification is that India’s crude oil imports are helping fund Russia’s military offensive, even as the US and its allies spend billions on Ukraine’s defence. But in reality, the tariff order excludes Indian energy exports — including petrol and diesel that have been refined from the same Russian oil — from the additional 25 per cent duty.
This implies that while crude oil bought by India is seen as a security threat, refined fuels produced from it can still be sold in the American market without additional tariffs.
Geopolitical analyst Brahma Chellaney termed this a “peak of hypocrisy,” adding that the exemption “has less to do with Russian oil and more to do with forcing India into a one-sided trade pact.” Energy columnist Javier Blas made a similar point, saying: “I love the irony that the 25% extra tariff doesn’t apply if India refines Russian crude and sells the petrol or diesel in the US market.”
He further clarified that this loophole is not India-specific — all energy imports into the US have so far been spared from Trump’s new tariff regime. However, extending that blanket exemption to India means that the exact imports being criticised can continue unaffected.
Why China Was Spared
Another major inconsistency, analysts say, is China’s exclusion from the tariff list. Beijing is currently the world’s largest buyer of Russian oil — far surpassing India. Yet Trump’s new order has imposed no fresh tariffs on Chinese goods.
South Asia expert Michael Kugelman called this a clear “double standard” in a conversation with ANI. He argued that the discrepancy may have more to do with Trump’s personal issues than trade figures. “China hasn’t openly challenged Trump or dismissed his role in the ceasefire… but India has,” he said, referencing New Delhi’s denial of Trump’s claim that he helped broker peace after Operation Sindoor with Pakistan.
Kugelman believes such instances may have led Trump to direct “some of his harshest trade policies” specifically at India and its government.
Even within Trump’s Republican Party, there is visible discomfort. Former UN envoy Nikki Haley posted on X: “India shouldn’t be buying oil from Russia. But China, a strategic rival and the biggest buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, was granted a 90-day delay. Don’t reward China and damage a trusted partner like India.”
The US Government’s Defence: Peter Navarro’s Comments
When asked why China had not been targeted, Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro responded: “We already have over 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods… we don’t want to end up harming ourselves.”
However, Navarro had strong words for India, calling it the “maharaja of tariffs” and accusing it of using US dollars to pay Russia, who then uses the funds for military purposes. “American taxpayers end up footing the bill for weapons used to protect Ukraine from arms funded by Indian money,” he said. He also labelled the India tariffs as a “national security issue,” citing New Delhi’s refusal to halt Russian oil imports.
Trade Pressure Hidden Behind Sanctions
Brahma Chellaney has said that these new tariffs are less about Russian oil and more about “economic coercion.” He believes this is an attempt to pressure India into accepting a trade deal on America’s terms, using tariffs as a tool.
“Trump is playing tough with India to extract greater trade concessions. His executive order placing punitive tariffs on India isn’t truly about Russian oil — it’s a bargaining tactic. Notably, China — the top importer of Russian oil — wasn’t mentioned at all. Trump has essentially given India 21 days — meet US trade conditions or face an additional 25% levy,” he posted on X.
Krystle Kaur, a NATO adviser, called the move “Trump’s show of strength” and warned that it may damage diplomatic ties for years to come.
In an interview with PTI, she said: “I am deeply disappointed with Trump’s decision. A 50 per cent tariff on India will not just harm bilateral trade but also the broader relationship, which took years to build. It’s generating mistrust within the Indian administration. This, in my opinion, is Trump’s version of power play.”
Strategic Angle: Ukraine and US Foreign Policy
Chellaney, in another post, noted that Trump’s push for a ceasefire in Ukraine is driven not by humanitarian motives, but by fears of a Western defeat. He pointed out that Trump’s decision to meet Putin immediately after sanctioning India suggests growing anxiety within US foreign policy circles.
He stated, “Trump wants a ceasefire not to save lives but to prevent a potential Western defeat — something that would tarnish his legacy. With Russia’s summer offensive ongoing, Trump’s move to meet Putin right after penalising India over Russian oil is a strong signal of increasing desperation.”
Swedish economist Anders Åslund has also slammed Trump’s India policy. In one post, he ridiculed Trump’s statement that India’s economy is “dead.” Åslund wrote: “Trump has declared India’s booming economy ‘dead’. If Trump says something, assume it’s false. India continues to post the highest growth rate among G20 nations. How do US Republicans tolerate such lies?”
On the issue of tariffs, Åslund and analyst Phillips P O’Brien pointed out that the 21-day delay is unlikely to harm Russia — but may strain US-India relations. Åslund even accused Trump of “pretending to be firm with Russia while actually doing nothing… and alienating India instead of acting against his favourite Putin.”
What Lies Ahead: Diplomatic Talks and Fallout
The 21-day period before the tariffs are enforced offers a narrow window for diplomatic negotiations between Washington and New Delhi. As per PTI reports, a US delegation is expected in India on 25 August for the sixth round of discussions on the proposed trade agreement. Both sides are reportedly keen to revive talks, though progress has been slower than expected.
Michael Kugelman warned that this could be “the worst crisis in US-India ties in the last 20 years.” Still, he noted that the relationship is “broad-based” with enough strategic cooperation to possibly survive even this major setback.
As things stand, the official claim is that the new tariffs target Russian oil. But with energy products exempt, China untouched, and experts pointing to trade pressure and personal politics, the real reasons seem far more layered.
