Donald Trump says US could raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases | World News
President Donald Trump departs on Air Force One from Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump said the United States could raise tariffs on India if New Delhi does not cooperate with Washington over the issue of Russian oil, saying his adminration expects more support from the Indian government.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Sunday about US policy and trade ties with India, emphasising that his adminration expects more support from New Delhi in reducing Russian oil imports.
The comments come against the backdrop of earlier US tariff actions under Trump. In 2018, Washington imposed duties on Indian steel and aluminium, and in 2019 removed India from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), a scheme allowing duty-free access for many Indian exports.
In 2025, the United States imposed additional tariffs on a wide range of Indian goods including textiles, apparel, gems and jewellery, carpets, furniture and seafood raising duties to 50%. Officials cited India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and defence equipment from Moscow as the reason for the added penalties.
Trade analysts warn that the higher tariffs could make Indian exports uncompetitive in the US market, potentially reducing merchandise shipments up to 40–45% in 2025-26 and threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, shrimp, and carpets. Story continues below this ad
Around 30% of exports, including pharmaceuticals, electronics and petroleum products, remain duty-free, while 4% face a 25% tariff, leaving the bulk of shipments subject to the steep 50% duties.
(With inputs from agencies)
