US-India tariff war: A sharp political debate has erupted in Washington after US President Donald Trump announced a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. Though the White House said the action has given Moscow's economy a "big blow," Democrats on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee stated that the tariff policy was "misdirected" and would not go very far in preventing Russian President Vladimir Putin from continuing the war in Ukraine.

Democrats Criticise Trump's Tariff Policy

The Democratic committee that manages America's foreign policy also went to X (previously Twitter) to slam Trump's move, demanding that Washington direct its efforts towards attacking Moscow head-on. "Tariffing India won't stop Putin. If Trump actually wanted to deal with Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine, perhaps sanction Putin and provide Ukraine the military support it requires. All else is smoke and mirrors," the committee posted. The comments were made just after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to impose additional "secondary tariffs" on New Delhi based on the results of Trump's high-stakes summit with Putin in Alaska.

On the other hand, during an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent stated that although Indian exports have already been subjected to tariff increases, the administration was ready to go further. “We’ve put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,” he said, adding that the President wanted to maintain “maximum leverage” over Putin. Bessent also pointed to fears of China's status as Russia's biggest purchaser of crude oil, but indicated that the US was holding out for European states to co-ordinate on tighter sanctions. "Sanctions may go up, or be relaxed, and even remain in force indefinitely," he said, while giving a hint about a potential crackdown on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of ships.

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India Denounces Step As "Unfair and Unreasonable"

The Executive Order, dated August 6, 2025, effectively imposes a 25 per cent ad valorem rate on all Indian imports from the date three weeks from its signing, excluding goods in transit. The order also reserves "additional actions" against countries indirectly importing Russian oil. India has already denounced Trump's new tariff move as an "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" step. The new 25 per cent tax in addition to the current 25 per cent tariffs essentially doubles tariffs on Indian exports, hitting industries like textiles, fisheries, and sea products. Prime Minister Narendra Modi came out with a strong reaction, reiterating that New Delhi would never surrender the interests of its farmers and fishermen. "The farmer's interest is our first priority. India will never make a compromise with the country's farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen. And I am aware that I would have to take a huge price for this personally, but I am prepared. India is prepared, for the country's farmers, fishermen, and livestock keepers," Modi stated. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also made a sharp statement, pointing out that some countries still import Russian oil in their interest. "It is highly unfortunate that the US decided to go for additional tariffs against India for actions being taken by several other countries too. India will do whatever is necessary to safeguard its national interest," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

ALSO READ: ‘India Is A Great Power’: US Economist Slams Trump’s Tariffs On Indian Goods, Calls It Unconstitutional

In supporting his tariff action earlier, Trump contended that the fact that New Delhi is Russia's "largest or second largest oil buyer" made the penalty a big blow to Moscow. “Doesn’t help when the President of the United States tells their largest or second-largest oil buyer that we’re putting a 50 per cent tariff on you if you buy oil from Russia. That was a big blow,” Trump said at a White House press conference. The US President asserted that the Russian economy was already in turmoil because of international sanctions and that Washington's new trade restrictions would further "disrupt" Moscow's capacity to continue waging war in Ukraine.