Trump Slaps India With 25% Tariff, Warns China Over Russian Oil

President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports on 6 August, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The surcharge doubles total U.S. duties on Indian goods to 50% and forms part of what the White House described as “secondary sanctions” aimed at cutting the Kremlin’s energy revenues. Trump told reporters the administration is weighing comparable levies on China and “probably a couple of others” that continue buying Russian crude. “It may happen—I can’t tell you yet,” he said, adding that the move depends on developments before a self-imposed Friday deadline. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week warned Beijing it could face new tariffs if it does not curb purchases from Moscow. While one senior presidential adviser played down the likelihood of immediate action against China, Trump said “you’re going to see a lot more secondary sanctions” as Washington seeks to intensify economic pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.