
Trump again threatens to 'very substantially' hike tariffs on India over Russian oil
He also said a "zero tariff" offer for imports of U.S. goods into India was not good enough, alleging that India was "fuelling the war" in Ukraine.
Trump's threat to India for buying Russian oil started on July 31, when he announced a 25% tariff for Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty.
"They're fuelling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday, adding that the main sticking point with India was that its tariffs were too high.
"Now, I will say this, India went from the highest tariffs ever. They will give us zero tariffs, and they're going to let us go in. But that's not good enough, because of what they're doing with oil, not good."
The latest comment followed a similar threat on Monday, which prompted India's Foreign Ministry to say the country was being unfairly singled out over its purchases of Russian oil.
"It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia (despite the Ukraine war)," it said in a statement issued late on Monday.
"It is unjustified to single out India," it added.
The EU conducted 67.5 billion euros ($78.0 billion) in trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaching 16.5 million metric tons, the Indian ministry said.
The United States continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilisers and chemicals, it added, without giving a source for the export information.
The U.S. embassy and the EU's delegation in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Both the United States and EU have sharply scaled back their trade ties with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
SUDDEN RIFT
India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources.
It has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Russia over the Ukraine war. New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding ties with Moscow and economic needs.
India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is likely to go ahead with a scheduled visit to Russia this week, two government sources said. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit in the coming weeks.
The sudden rift between India and the U.S. has been deepening since July 31.
Trump has said that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end the war with Ukraine.
The trade tensions have caused concern about the potential impact on India's economy.
The equity benchmark BSE Sensex .BSESN closed down 0.38%, while the rupee dropped 0.17% versus the dollar. (Additional reporting by Shivan Patel and Nidhi Verma; Editing by Helen Popper and Gareth Jones)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UAE Moments
an hour ago
- UAE Moments
NASA Set to Build Nuclear Reactor on Moon by 2030
NASA's interim administrator, Sean Duffy, has issued a directive to fast-track the development of a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor destined for deployment on the Moon by 2030. This marks the first major policy initiative under Duffy's leadership and underscores a strategic shift toward sustainable and secure energy support for long-duration lunar missions. The directive instructs NASA to solicit proposals from private industry within 60 days, appoint a project leader, and design a reactor capable of powering lunar bases, habitats, and potential Mars missions. The move escalates previous plans centered on a 40 kW system to a more robust 100 kW design, reflecting the agency's renewed urgency. One of the driving motivations behind the accelerated timeline is geopolitical: China and Russia are jointly planning a lunar research base powered by nuclear technology in the mid-2030s. Duffy's directive explicitly warns that if those nations deploy a reactor first, they could declare exclusion zones that could limit U.S. access under the Artemis Accords. Nuclear power on the Moon is considered essential due to the limitations of solar energy during lunar night—each lunar night lasts about 14 Earth days—and permanently shadowed regions. A 100 kW reactor would ensure an uninterrupted energy supply for life support, communications, research labs, and robotics, particularly in regions holding potential water ice and Helium‑3 resources. This initiative aligns with NASA's broader restructuring agenda, which also includes replacing the aging International Space Station with commercially built space stations by 2030. Contracts for at least two private orbital platforms are expected within six months to maintain a U.S. human presence in Earth orbit. Despite past efforts in nuclear space power—such as the Kilopower reactor demonstrator and Fission Surface Power research programs—no reactor has yet been deployed. NASA previously awarded contracts to industry partners for designs around 40 kW, but Duffy's directive signals a major scale-up both in capacity and urgency. While ambitious, skeptics caution that technical challenges—including safe transport of enriched uranium, reliable lunar landing systems, and ensuring reactor safety—could complicate reaching the 2030 timeline. In sum, NASA's accelerated lunar reactor initiative represents a pivotal step toward ensuring energy independence and strategic advantage in the burgeoning era of Moon and Mars exploration, while also reshaping its reliance on public–private partnerships for orbital infrastructure. This article was previously published on saudimoments. To see the original article, click here


UAE Moments
an hour ago
- UAE Moments
♑ Capricorn: Daily Horoscope for August 6th, 2025
Capricorn, today the Moon in your sign shines a spotlight on your inner world, inviting you to honor your emotions and set healthy boundaries. Love Horoscope In love, the Moon's opposition to Venus stirs up deep feelings and may bring old wounds to the surface. If you feel misunderstood or distant from your partner, don't retreat into your shell. Instead, try expressing your vulnerability—perhaps by sharing a memory or a hope for the future. Single Capricorns, today is a day to be gentle with yourself. Self-love is the first step to attracting the right energy. A heartfelt conversation or a simple gesture of kindness can work wonders in healing and strengthening your bonds. Career Horoscope At work, Mars shifting into Libra encourages you to seek balance and collaboration. While your natural tendency is to shoulder responsibilities alone, today's cosmic energy nudges you to delegate and trust your team. If you're facing a challenging project, consider brainstorming with colleagues or asking for feedback. You'll find that different perspectives can spark creative solutions. Remember, leadership isn't about doing everything yourself—it's about inspiring others to rise with you. Celebrate small wins and acknowledge the efforts of those around you. Finance Horoscope Financially, it's a good day to review your budget and reassess your priorities. The Moon's influence may make you more aware of your material needs and long-term goals. If you've been putting off a financial decision—like investing in a course or planning a big purchase—take time to weigh the pros and cons. Remember, being prudent doesn't mean denying yourself joy. Sometimes, a small treat can boost your motivation. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to seek advice from someone you respect. Your careful planning paves the way for future abundance. Health Horoscope Your well-being benefits from grounding rituals today. The emotional intensity stirred by the Moon can be channeled into positive self-care—think a brisk walk in nature, a few minutes of mindful breathing, or even dancing to your favorite song in the living room. Don't underestimate the power of laughter; watch a funny video or share a joke with a friend. These small acts can lighten your mood and replenish your energy. Listen to your body's signals, and don't hesitate to rest if you need it. Your resilience grows when you nurture yourself.


Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Asian Paints launches world's first internal curing concrete additive in UAE
Image: Asian Paints 'With CureAssure, we're not just launching a product; we're redefining a foundational step in construction. This innovation reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions that work in the real world,' said Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints. Joseph Eapen, CEO of Asian Paints Curing is one of the most critical but often overlooked phases in concrete construction, influencing structural strength and durability. In the Middle East, this step is frequently compromised by extreme temperatures, labour constraints, and compressed project timelines. These site challenges often result in shrinkage cracks and reduced long-term performance. Asian Paints' CureAssure addresses these issues by introducing internal curing directly into the concrete mix. The additive enables hydration to occur from within, eliminating the need for external water or surface curing compounds. This approach reduces plastic shrinkage and cracking, ensures greater durability, and guarantees consistency across varying site conditions. It also aligns the performance of on-site concrete with laboratory-tested standards — a vital requirement for real-world reliability. 'Developing CureAssure meant rethinking curing from the inside out,' said Amit DasGupta, chief senior manager – Technology, AP Global. 'Rather than treating symptoms on the surface, we focused on solving the root cause, by embedding water availability directly where it's needed. The result is a more robust, reliable concrete structure, regardless of the environment it's placed in.' CureAssure has received approval from Dubai Municipality and validation from ICC-ES. Free of hazardous substances, it is compatible with all types of Portland cement, pozzolanic blends, and both water-reducing (WR) and set-retarding (SR) admixtures. The additive meets globally recognised standards including ACI 308 guidelines for internal curing, ACI 318 structural durability provisions, ASTM C494/C494M Type S, and EN 934-2 European admixture compatibility norms. Aligned with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, CureAssure's elimination of external curing also removes the need for desalinated water in the construction process. Asian Paints estimates that the water saved annually could fill 3,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, irrigate over 6,000 acres of desert farmland, or meet the monthly water needs of 450,000 households. The solution also contributes to low-carbon, zero-waste construction practices by reducing the need for water transport, on-site manpower, and curing-related emissions. With over 80 years of expertise in coatings and construction materials, Asian Paints is among the top two paint companies in Asia and operates 26 manufacturing plants across 15 countries. The launch of CureAssure represents a strategic expansion of its regional footprint and underscores the company's commitment to delivering smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure solutions across the GCC.