‘Modi Knew I wasn’t happy’: Trump threatens new tariffs over Russian oil import
Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India, threatening to raise tariffs if New Delhi continues importing oil from Russia, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his displeasure on the issue.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, asserting that it was important for India to keep him “happy” regarding Russian oil imports. “PM Modi is a very good man. He’s a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said.
The warning comes amid growing scrutiny in Washington over India’s expanding energy trade with Russia, despite New Delhi’s insistence that such imports are essential for its domestic energy security. Analysts say Trump’s comments reflect the use of economic pressure and tariff threats as a tool to influence India’s foreign and energy policies.
Trump’s remarks also follow heightened geopolitical focus on global oil supplies after recent US military action against Venezuela, a country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves—estimated at over 300 billion barrels, or about 17 percent of global reserves, according to OPEC data.
Venezuela’s oil production, however, has fallen sharply to around one million barrels per day due to US sanctions and years of underinvestment.
The US president’s latest warning comes just weeks after he and Prime Minister Modi held a telephone conversation in which both leaders underlined the importance of maintaining momentum in bilateral trade relations, even as tariff-related tensions persist. The call coincided with a new round of negotiations between Indian and US officials aimed at resolving a long-standing trade impasse.
Only days before that conversation, Trump had threatened to impose fresh tariffs on Indian rice imports following complaints raised by a US farmer representative at a White House roundtable, alleging dumping by India, China and Thailand.
Observers say Trump’s statements underline increasing friction in Indo-US trade ties and highlight how energy politics and tariff pressures are becoming central tools in Washington’s dealings with New Delhi.
