US President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested he might consider imposing retaliatory tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil. However, he stressed that such action may only come in the next two to three weeks and is not required “right now.”
Comments After Alaska Summit
Trump made these remarks after wrapping up his high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Speaking briefly to reporters alongside Putin, Trump responded to a question about oil trade involving India, Russia, and possible tariffs on China. He did not clarify whether his warning applied specifically to retaliatory tariffs or additional ones against nations purchasing Russian oil.
Earlier Threats of Secondary Sanctions
Last month, Trump announced plans for secondary sanctions on countries doing business with Moscow. At the time, he threatened tariffs of up to 100 per cent if Russia failed to reach a deal to end the Ukraine war within 50 days.
“We’re very, very unhappy with them. And we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent, you’d call them secondary tariffs,” Trump had warned earlier.
Pressure on India
In a Fox News interview before the Alaska summit, Trump said Moscow had already “lost an oil client – India.” He noted that imposing secondary sanctions would be “devastating” for Russia. “…If I have to do it, I’ll do it, maybe I won’t have to do it,” he said.
Weeks after this warning, Trump slapped a 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on India, which he later doubled. The move came in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Half of these tariffs are already in place, while the rest are scheduled to take effect on August 27.
US Treasury Adds Pressure
Trump’s latest remarks align with comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently signaled that tariffs on India could rise further. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Bessent said, “We’ve put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up.”
Bessent had also described India as “a bit recalcitrant” in ongoing trade talks with Washington, suggesting frustration with New Delhi’s stance.
India’s Stand
India, however, has maintained that its relationship with the US extends far beyond trade. The Ministry of External Affairs earlier emphasized that bilateral ties should not be judged solely through the lens of a third country.