Trump Says Tariffs on India a Big Deal, Sparks Rift
By Global Leaders Insights Team | Sep 13, 2025
According to US President Donald Trump, putting tariffs on India for buying Russian oil is "not an easy thing to do" because it exacerbates tensions between the two nations.
"You see, their largest client was India. India is purchasing oil from Russia, so I imposed a 50% tariff on them. That is not a simple task. When asked what it means to crack down on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump responded, "That's a big deal, and it causes a rift with India," in an interview with Fox and Friends.
Key Highlights
- Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods over its Russian oil purchases, admits they “cause a rift.”
- India defends the imports, citing energy security; diplomatic strain emerges amid trade talk resumption hopes.
However, I've already completed it. "I've accomplished a lot," Trump continued. "And remember this is a Europe problem much more than our problem."
The US president also restated his assertions that he had ended several international conflicts in his second term. "I've resolved seven conflicts. I completed a lot of them, including those in India and Pakistan, but some were difficult, like those in Congo and Rwanda. I figured it out. Millions of people were killed during the 31-year period. "I resolve unsolvable wars," he declared.
India has defended its purchase of Russian crude oil in the meantime, emphasizing that market forces and national interests drive its energy procurement decisions.
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Earlier in the day, Sergio Gor, Trump's choice for the next ambassador to India, stated on Thursday that the Trump administration wants India to purchase American crude and oil products because of its sizable middle class, which is bigger than the US market. He also said that the current trade negotiations are focused on this goal.
Gor emphasized that the United States can benefit greatly from India's more than 1.4 billion people and its quickly growing middle class. A day earlier, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that once New Delhi stops purchasing oil from Russia, a trade deal with India could proceed.
"Well, we're going to sort out India," Lutnick said when discussing important trade priorities with CNBC, adding that India's cessation of importing Russian oil is a prerequisite for progress. The two countries are at odds over trade and energy policies at the time of Lutnick's comments.
