Trump Warns India and China: "Tariffs to Rise on Russian Oil Purchases"

"Additional Tariffs Possible on All Countries"

US President Donald Trump is holding a press conference on the 5th (local time) at the White House after concluding the launch ceremony of the task force (TF) related to the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics. Photo by UPI

US President Donald Trump stated on the 5th (local time) that, in addition to India, the United States may impose additional tariffs on all countries trading Russian oil. This measure appears to be primarily aimed at China. Concerns have also been raised that if the already reciprocal tariff rate of 25% on Indian imports is further increased, the 25-year trade relationship between the United States and India could be put at risk.

During a press conference related to the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics, President Trump was asked whether additional tariffs could be imposed on countries trading Russian oil, to which he replied, "Yes." While he did not mention specific figures on this day, in a previous statement he warned that the level would be "severe."

Earlier that morning, President Trump announced that India would raise its reciprocal tariff rate against the United States within 24 hours. Even now, India’s reciprocal tariff rate stands at 25%, the highest among major Asian countries. South Korea and Japan reduced their tariffs from the previous 25% to 15% during negotiations. Previously, President Trump had stoked fears by stating that tariffs on companies purchasing Russian oil could reach as high as 100%.

The background to Russian oil becoming a source of diplomatic conflict lies in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Trump set August 8 as the deadline for sanctions against Russia and sent a "final warning" to Moscow. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his existing stance, such as maintaining occupied territories in Ukraine, and is known to be taking a hardline position on the war. Reuters reported this, citing three sources familiar with internal Kremlin discussions.

Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, is scheduled to visit Russia on the 6th. President Trump stated that he would monitor the outcome of Witkoff’s visit to Russia before making a decision regarding sanctions against Russia. He told reporters, "I will wait and see before making a decision." There is also cautious speculation that Witkoff may meet directly with President Putin.

India has also found itself in a difficult position due to President Trump’s tariff offensive. On the 4th, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, "Our oil trade with Russia is an inevitable response to the shift of existing energy supply lines to Europe following the war in Ukraine." The statement also criticized, "Our trade is a national necessity, but the European Union (EU) and the United States continue to trade with Russia even though they do not have to." Furthermore, India is the world’s third-largest oil consumer and is reported to meet more than one-third of its total demand with Russian oil. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace assessed that the United States, which has maintained trade relations with India for 25 years, would also face significant burdens if those ties were severed.

Alongside India, China, which Ukrainian authorities have identified as a major consumer of Russian oil, is also not expected to halt transactions with Russia quickly. According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), Matt Gertken, Chief Geopolitical Strategist at BCA Research, stated, "China’s strategic goal is to secure stable and safe core resources," and pointed out that "Russian oil will continue to flow into China." Such controversies are seen as factors that could also affect US-China trade negotiations. The tariff truce deadline agreed upon by the United States and China at the Geneva talks in May is set for the 12th of this month.