Trump Chants Tariff Once Again Like A Mantra, Threatens India Over Same Issue Of Russian Oil Purchase
While Trump earlier claimed that India has vowed to stop buying Russian oil, MEA has denied such claims. Image courtesy: AI-generated picture via Sora
US President Donald Trump has once again threatened India with high tariffs if it doesn’t reduce its imports of Russian oil. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally promised him that India would stop buying oil from Russia.
“He (PM Modi) told me, ‘I won’t be buying Russian oil.’ But if they keep doing it, they’ll face heavy tariffs,” Trump said on Sunday (October 19, 2025). His comments followed a surprise statement he made in the Oval Office last week, in which he claimed PM Modi had agreed to stop the purchases, calling it a “big step”.
Trump added that about one-third of India’s oil comes from Russia and said that buying it helps fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. The US has recently increased pressure on countries still trading with Russia, arguing that the money from oil sales supports President Putin’s war efforts.
India denies Trump’s statement
Shortly after Trump’s earlier comments that India has vowed to stop buying Russian oil, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied his claims. At a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he was “not aware of any conversation” between Trump and Modi the day before.
Jaiswal mentioned that India and the US are in regular talks about energy cooperation, but he did not confirm that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil. “We are constantly discussing ways to strengthen our energy ties with the US,” he said, without saying whether India plans to change its oil import policy.
India-US trade talks on track amid global tariff turbulence
Despite escalating tariff rhetoric worldwide, India and the United States are quietly making progress on their long-awaited trade agreement. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said talks were advancing in a “cordial and constructive atmosphere,” reiterating that India’s farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs will remain fully protected.
“Free trade talks aren’t driven by deadlines. There’s no deal unless India’s core interests are secured,” Goyal told reporters. Sources further indicate that the first tranche of the trade pact could be finalised by October–November 2025, with the ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, up from $191 billion at present.
The US continues to be India’s largest trading partner for the fourth straight year, clocking $131.84 billion in trade during 2024–25.
Trump hints at tariff tweaks on China
Adding to the trade churn, US President Trump signaled potential tariff relief for China, but only if Beijing makes concessions. “They’d probably like to have tariffs lowered, but they’ll have to give us some things too,” Trump said, hinting at demands such as increased US soybean purchases, curbs on fentanyl exports, and easing rare earth restrictions.
The remarks came after Washington announced a 100% additional tariff on Chinese imports effective November 1, taking total duties to 130%. Beijing has vowed retaliation, calling the move “not the right way to get along.”
