India Cites “Unjustified” and “Unreasonable” US Tariffs, Highlights US-Russia Trade

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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a firm rebuke to the Trump administration’s recent threats of increased tariffs on Indian goods, calling the move “unjustified and unreasonable.” The response comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 1 imposing a 25% duty on Indian products and signaled further penalties over India’s continued energy trade with Russia.

In a sharply worded statement, the MEA defended India’s oil purchases from Russia as “a necessity compelled by global market conditions” and not a political endorsement. The ministry noted that India turned to discounted Russian crude after traditional suppliers in the Middle East redirected their exports to Europe following the conflict in Ukraine. The MEA also highlighted what it termed a “revealing” double standard, pointing out that the US and European Union have continued their own trade with Russia, including in energy and critical commodities.

The MEA’s statement emphasized that India’s energy imports are essential to ensure predictable and affordable costs for its citizens. It noted that the EU’s bilateral trade in goods with Russia in 2024 was significantly higher than India’s total trade with Russia and that the US itself continues to import materials such as uranium hexafluoride and palladium from Russia for its nuclear and electric vehicle industries.

This diplomatic clash follows a series of public comments from President Trump, who has accused India of “buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it on the open market for big profits,” a claim that India’s government has not confirmed. Despite the tensions, the MEA reaffirmed India’s commitment to ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. The next round of talks is scheduled for later this month, but disagreements remain, particularly over US demands for greater market access in India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.

The back-and-forth highlights the complex balancing act of India’s foreign policy, which seeks to maintain a time-tested partnership with Russia while also cultivating a strategic relationship with the United States. New Delhi has made it clear it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.