Trump tariffs: India under fire from US over Russian oil imports; China buys more but escapes criticism, says GTRI
As the tension between US and India escalate with regards to trade talks, a recent Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report called out
Donald Trump
claiming the US President has been selectively criticising India regarding Russian oil imports while remaining silent about China's involvement.
The report, cited by ANI, presented data showing China as the primary purchaser of Russian oil, with imports valued at $62.6 billion in 2024, exceeding India's USD 52.7 billion. Yet, Trump's criticism remains focused on India, overlooking China's more substantial involvement.
"Trump appears unwilling to criticize China, perhaps because of geopolitical calculations, and instead targets India unfairly," GTRI said.
The report contests Trump's recent Truth Social post claiming that India is "buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it on the open market for big profits", identifying this statement as inaccurate.
The organisation clarifies that India does not export crude oil of any origin.
As a net crude oil importer, India exports only refined petroleum products, including diesel and jet fuel, some derived from Russian crude, which is standard practice for energy-importing nations.
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GTRI further emphasised that
Indian oil
refineries maintain operational autonomy in sourcing crude oil.
These entities operate without requiring governmental approval for oil purchases from Russia or other nations, basing decisions on business factors including pricing, reliable supply, and export destination regulations.
The report indicates that Indian refiners might independently reduce or cease Russian imports if faced with secondary sanctions or limited market access.
This shift is evident in the statistics, according to ANI citing the GTRI report, with India's Russian imports decreasing by 9.8 per cent to $9.2 billion in May 2025 compared to May 2024.
The GTRI report determines that India faces unjust scrutiny while China's larger involvement remains unaddressed, potentially due to wider geopolitical considerations.
MEA calls out US, EU over oil trade with Russia; pans double standards
The GTRI report is aligned with MEA's response on Monday over India being targeted.
India pushed back against Trump's threat to significantly increase tariffs on Indian goods, attributed to the country's ongoing oil imports from Russia, describing the move as 'unjustified and unreasonable.' In a sharply worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended India's energy strategy, stating that its purchases of crude oil from Russia are 'a necessity compelled by global market conditions' and not a political endorsement of Moscow.
'India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' the MEA said, while highlighting that the US and
European Union
have themselves continued trade with Russia, including in energy and critical commodities, despite publicly opposing the Ukraine conflict.
Read more:
India calls out US, EU over oil trade with Russia; pans double standards
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