Concerns Over Tariff Bomb on India...Trump Strategist Pressures Using Russian Oil Imports

"Additional Sanctions If Russian Crude Imports Continue"

Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and a key strategist for U.S. President Donald Trump, has begun pressuring India with tariffs. He has indicated that sanctions may be imposed, citing India's import of Russian crude oil as the reason.

According to major foreign media outlets on August 3 (local time), Deputy Chief of Staff Miller criticized India for effectively supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine by importing Russian crude oil, thereby providing Russia with necessary funds for the war.

These remarks came immediately after President Trump warned that additional sanctions would be imposed if India did not halt its imports of Russian crude oil, raising concerns about a potential "tariff bomb."

Deputy Chief of Staff Miller stated, "President Trump has made it clear that he cannot tolerate India continuing to provide war funds by purchasing Russian crude oil," and added, "It will be shocking to everyone that India's purchases of Russian crude are now virtually on par with China's."

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, India has significantly increased its purchases of Russian crude oil. It is currently the second-largest importer after China.

Previously, President Trump warned that unless Russia took action for peace by August 8, he would impose high tariffs not only on Russia but also on countries trading with Russia. In the case of India, which continues to trade with Russia, he stated that a 25% tariff would be imposed. He also threatened to add an additional 100% tariff as a form of secondary sanction on countries purchasing Russian crude oil.

Deputy Chief of Staff Miller is a strategist who enjoys President Trump's trust. He is regarded as a key decision-maker for both domestic and foreign policy directions during both Trump’s first and second terms.

According to the Washington Post (WP), the Indian government has not backed down from its stance of continuing to purchase Russian crude oil. However, India's state-run oil refiners have stopped buying Russian crude.