‘Not Particularly Friendly’: Tharoor Criticises Trump’s ‘Double Standard’ Over Extra 25% Tariff
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday criticised US President Donald Trump for what he called a “double standard” in imposing an additional 25% tariff on India over its purchase of Russian oil.
Tharoor said this move has “not been a particularly friendly gesture” from the United States and the Trump administration, which earlier seemed to have a positive outlook towards India. He pointed out that while the US is itself importing uranium and palladium from Russia, it has also extended a 90-day relief to China, which is importing much more Russian oil compared to India.
“Uranium, Palladium—there are many items they (US) continue to import from Russia. There is, unfortunately, an evident double standard. They have offered China a 90-day break, despite China importing far more Russian oil than we do. Clearly, this is not a particularly warm gesture from a country we believed to be favourably inclined towards us—an administration we thought held a positive view of India,” Tharoor told reporters, reacting to the announcement of a doubled 50% tariff on Indian goods.
Tharoor further stated that under the present situation, India may be compelled to explore other trading partners, and there could be internal pressure to introduce equivalent reciprocal tariffs on American exports to India.
“It is clear that we need to respond suitably, and take lessons from this event. I believe there is certainly going to be some pressure within India to impose reciprocal tariffs on American goods. Therefore, in such a scenario, we must seriously begin considering other trade allies,” he added.
India has also strongly criticised the move, calling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the US had recently “targeted India’s oil imports from Russia” despite New Delhi clearly stating its stance on the issue.
Trump signed an executive order to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, bringing the total US tariff on Indian goods to 50%. These new tariffs are set to take effect 21 days after the signing, providing India and Russia with a possible window to engage in talks with the administration regarding the import duties.
As part of a similar negotiation period, Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, a rate which is still lower than the combined tariff burden now faced by India.
