US President Donald Trump has intensified trade pressure on India by warning of “secondary sanctions”, just hours after imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports—bringing the total tariff to 50%.
During a White House press briefing on August 7, Trump was questioned about targeting India over Russian oil imports, while countries like China also continue similar trade with Moscow. He replied,
“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.”
He also indicated that China could be next if trade talks don’t move in Washington’s favour.
Why Did Trump Increase Tariffs?
Trump signed an executive order on August 6, citing:
- National security concerns
- India’s ongoing oil imports from Russia
- The belief that such imports pose an “extraordinary threat” to US interests
The new decision adds to existing tensions between New Delhi and Washington, just months before the US elections.
India’s Strong Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a sharp response, calling the US action:
- “Unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”
The MEA stated:
“India’s oil imports from Russia are based on market factors and are aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion citizens.”
India clarified that many countries are making similar decisions in their own national interest and called out the selective targeting by the US.
What Are Secondary Sanctions?
Secondary sanctions are penalties not just on the target country but on companies or nations that do business with the target. If imposed, they could:
- Impact Indian oil companies
- Affect global trade and investment linked to India
- Bring pressure on other allies dealing with Russia
With this latest move, geopolitical tensions may affect Indian exports, the rupee, and global investor confidence in the short term.
News Desk
