U.S. President Donald Trump is vowing to maintain “massive tariffs” on India until the country stops buying crude oil from Russia.
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Speaking to the media on Air Force One, Trump said: “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.” However, India denied any recent conversation between Modi and Trump. That led the U.S. president to say: “If they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs…”
Russian oil purchases by India continue to be a trade irritant for the U.S. Trump has said repeatedly that oil revenue is largely funding Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the American president has called on India and other nations to stop their purchases. India has refused, ratcheting up political tensions with the Trump administration.
Path to Peace?
Trump has said that half of his 50% tariffs on many Indian imports are in retaliation for the country continuing to purchase Russian crude oil. India acknowledges being the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil, but says it is attractive at a discount after Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow over its attacks on Ukraine.
Trump has said previously that Modi has assured him that India will stop its Russian oil purchases. However, India has not done so yet and the foreign ministry has said it is not aware of any conversation between Modi and Trump recently. India’s government has said that its priority is to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer.”
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