Saturday, March 29, 2025
Trump Official Warns India: Stop Buying Oil from Russia or Face Tariffs
Updated: September 15, 2025
The Trump administration has once again issued a stern warning to India over its energy and trade policies. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said India must stop purchasing oil from Russia and reduce tariffs on American goods or be prepared to face steep economic consequences.
Lutnick criticized India’s trade practices, accusing New Delhi of imposing high tariffs on U.S. products while enjoying unrestricted access to the American market. He called the situation “one-sided” and “unacceptable,” stressing that future trade negotiations will only progress if India first removes tariffs against American goods.
On energy, Lutnick urged India to end its reliance on Russian oil and instead turn to the United States for energy imports. He argued that sourcing oil from America would not only benefit India economically but also strengthen bilateral ties.
The Trump administration has already imposed a 50% tariff on goods imported from India. According to Lutnick, half of this penalty—25%—was specifically introduced as a punishment for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
“These tariffs are among the highest applied to any nation, and India is solely responsible for this situation,” Lutnick said. He warned that unless India accepts what he called the Trump administration’s “model,” doing business with the world’s largest consumer market will become increasingly difficult.
Despite U.S. pressure, Russia has openly supported India’s stance. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the relationship between Moscow and New Delhi has “stood the test of time” and continues to grow stronger. Moscow also praised India’s determination to protect its national interests and resist external pressure.
The Russian statement carried a clear warning: “Any attempts to undermine these ties will have consequences.”
The warning underscores rising tensions between Washington and New Delhi as the Trump administration doubles down on trade and energy demands. India now faces the challenge of balancing its long-standing partnership with Russia while managing mounting pressure from the United States.
