'It could happen': Trump hints at possible secondary sanctions on China after hitting India - Russian oil row continues

Time of India

3 days ago

(Photo credit: AP)
US President Donald Trump after slapping an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods that said his administration is considering imposing secondary sanctions on "a couple of others," hinting that China could be one of them.
Speaking at a White House press briefing on Wednesday, Trump was asked if similar penalties could be imposed on China for its continued purchase of Russian oil.
"It may happen. I don't know, I can't tell you yet. But we did it with India. We are probably doing it with a couple of others, one of them could be China," Trump told reporters during a press briefing in White House.
The comments came just a day after he signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing national security concerns tied to India's energy ties with Russia.
Trump also confirmed that more secondary sanctions could be coming soon, signaling broader economic retaliation aimed at countries buying oil from Russia.
When reporters pressed again asking Trump, "do you have any similar plans to enact more tariffs on China?"
The US President responded saying, "Could happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen."
Despite calling out China's Russian oil imports, Trump has so far stopped short of taking concrete action, unlike the swift move he made against India.
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The president further emphasised that India, which he often calls a "friend"— is "very close to China in terms of the purchase of oil from Russia."
However, he appeared to suggest that the tough move against New Delhi might have helped push Russia and China to resume talks with Washington.
"I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but we've had very productive talks today," he said, referring to his envoy Steve Witkoff's parleys in Moscow.
Trump's mixed signals on China have drawn criticism from both Democrats and his own camp.
Former strategist Steve Bannon and other MAGA allies have accused Trump of being inconsistent or soft on Beijing, criticism that continues to follow him from his earlier tenure, when detractors often labeled him "Putin's Puppet."
Earlier, former US Ambassador to the United Nations and Trump's former primary challenger Nikki Haley criticised Trump's stance, warning against damaging ties with a key democratic ally.
"India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," Haley posted on X.
These remarks came a day after US officials confirmed the new round of tariffs on Indian products.
When asked why India was being singled out while other countries like China also continue buying Russian oil, Trump did not offer a direct explanation but indicated broader action could follow.
He said, "It's only been 8 hours. So let's see what happens. You're going to see a lot more...You're going to see so much secondary sanctions."
Trump has signed an order imposing an extra 25% tariff on imports from India, citing national security and foreign policy concerns. The White House said India's continued imports of Russian oil, both directly and indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.
With this move, total tariffs on Indian goods entering the US will increase to 50%. The first round of duties will start on August 7, and the additional 25% will be applied 21 days later, according to the directive.
The new tariff will cover all Indian goods imported into the US, except for items already in transit or those granted specific exemptions.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) issued a strong response, calling the move "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable, further claiming that "India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests."
"The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." MEA said in a statement.
"It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," it added.
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