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Farm, crude, trade deadlock push India-US ties into rougher terrain
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New Delhi
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Six months ago, Donald Trump returned to the White House with a familiar promise: to 'Make America Great Again'. This time, the agenda came with sharper teeth: tariffs were once again in focus, pitched as a tool to raise revenue, revive domestic manufacturing, and create jobs.
What stood out early was Trump's visible camaraderie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just three weeks into Trump's second term, Modi landed in Washington for a high-profile meeting. The two leaders announced plans to hammer out the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by the Fall of 2025, making India the first country
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First Post
6 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump says he 'does not know anything about' US imports of uranium, fertilizers from Russia
Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware that the United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has raised while defending its oil trade with Moscow against Western criticism. read more US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware and 'don't know anything about' United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has highlighted while defending its trade ties with Moscow amid growing Western criticism. Responding to a question about US imports of Russian uranium and chemical fertilisers, even as Washington targets India's oil trade with Moscow, Trump said, 'I don't know anything about it. I have to check…' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US imports from Russia quietly rise #WATCH | Responding to ANI's question on US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilisers while criticising their (Indian) energy imports', US President Donald Trump says, "I don't know anything about it. I have to check..." (Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) — ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 His remarks come even as American imports from Russia continue to quietly rise. Between January and May this year, US imports jumped 23 per cent year-on-year to $2.1 billion, driven by sharp increases in palladium (up 37 per cent), uranium (28 per cent), and fertilisers (21 per cent). While this marks a partial rebound, overall US merchandise imports from Russia had fallen to $3 billion in 2024, down 90 per cent from 2021, the year before the Ukraine war began. Trump ramps up pressure on India Trump earlier ramped up pressure on India, warning of a sharp increase in tariffs within '24 hours' over its continued oil purchases from Russia. 'India hasn't been a fair trading partner. They do a lot of business with us, but we don't get the same in return,' he said in an interview with CNBC. 'We had settled on a 25 percent tariff, but I'm going to raise it significantly because they're buying Russian oil and fueling the war machine,' he added. India hits back over 'unjustified and unreasonable' tariffs India hit back strongly on Monday, calling the threat 'unjustified and unreasonable' and asserting it would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that India has been repeatedly targeted by the US and EU over its energy imports from Russia, even as many Western nations continue trade with Moscow. 'In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified. Like any major economy, India will act to protect its interests,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India.com
6 minutes ago
- India.com
‘I Never Said A Percentage': Trump Backtracks On Russian Oil Tariff Threat — What It Means For India, China And Who's Really In The Crosshairs
Washington: What began as a routine press briefing on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics quickly turned into a window into Donald Trump's evolving global agenda. Fielding an unexpected question, the U.S. president pivoted, hinting at fresh tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. The off-the-cuff remark, though brief, sent ripples through foreign capitals, exposing a potentially dramatic shift in U.S. economic pressure tactics that could hit allies like India, even as China avoids similar scrutiny. 'I never said a percentage. But we will be doing quite a bit of that. We will see what happens over the next fairly short period of time. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We are going to see what happens,' Trump clarified when asked about plans for a 100% tariff. This statement followed earlier his remarks, suggesting he could raise tariffs on Indian imports 'very substantially' within 24 hours. He explained that the reason was India's continued energy trade with Russia. 'They are fueling the war machine, and if they are going to do that, then I am not going to be happy,' Trump told CNBC in an interview, as reported by Reuters. He also flagged India's existing tariff structure as a sticking point in bilateral trade. Trump first posted the warning on his social media platform Truth Social. There, he said, 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!' Former U.S, Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, also weighed in on the matter. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she called attention to how the Trump administration has treated China during this time. She pointed out that China, which she described as an adversary and the 'number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil', had been granted a 90-day tariff pause. '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,' she posted. Haley previously competed in the Republican primaries but was the last of Trump's major rivals to exit the race. While Trump continues to signal tariff hikes, Haley's statement serves as a reminder of the broader geopolitical implications. The conversation around oil imports, strategic alliances and tariff policy now includes strong voices from within the U.S. political establishment. The days ahead may bring new policy decisions and further clarification on tariffs, as the White House prepares for its meeting with Russia.
Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump reacts to India citing US trade with Russia amid tariff threat: 'Don't know...'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reacted to India citing the United States doing trade with Russia and yet criticising New Delhi for doing business with Russia. "I don't know anything about it, I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that," he said in reply to a reporter's question. US President Donald Trump reacted to India's remarks citing America doing trade with Russia.(REUTERS) Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and unspecified penalties last week, ahead of his August 1 deadline for tariffs to come into effect even as talks for a deal are ongoing. Later, Trump threatened to hike that rate due to New Delhi buying military equipment and oil from Russia, calling India "Russia's largest buyer of energy, along with China". Hitting back at Trump's tariff move, India pointed out to the US imports from Russia. 'Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals,' Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Citing this, New Delhi called Trump's targeting of India 'unjustified and unreasonable', and reiterated that the government would safeguard its national interests and economic security. Even in the face of Trump's tariff threats, the Indian government has reportedly not issued any directives asking importers to reduce trade with Russia. India clarified its stance on sourcing energy in particular, saying the country was "guided by what is on offer in markets and prevailing global situation". India also stated that the relationship it shares with any country should not be viewed through the prism of a third nation. 'The sourcing of defence requirement is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments. Similarly, the sourcing of our energy are guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances," Jaiswal said during a press briefing last week. According to a Reuters report, in 2024-25, India purchased Russian oil worth $50.2 billion. India ramped up imports of discounted Russian commodities after the US and its western allies imposed sanctions on Russia as its war with Ukraine began in 2022.
