US President Donald Trump has threatened to substantially raise tariffs on India within the next 24 hours, accusing New Delhi of profiting from Russian oil while ignoring the human cost of the Ukraine war. Trump first announced 25% tariffs on India, citing high trade barriers, energy deals with Russia, and military purchases from Moscow.
The latest threat comes with renewed intensity, drawing sharp support from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who said India must pay a price for “war profiteering.” The move could reshape US-India trade relations and inject Ukraine-linked pressure into global commerce.
Senator Graham Backs Trump’s Tariff Warning
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham responded to Trump’s remarks by backing the proposed tariff increase. In a statement on Tuesday, Graham said, “Well said, Mr. President. I appreciate your strong commitment to ending this bloodbath in Ukraine. Making those like India pay a price for their war profiteering is a good place to start.”
His statement suggests growing bipartisan frustration with countries that maintain economic ties with Russia, despite international sanctions and ongoing conflict.
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Trump Doubles Down on Accusations Against India
Trump has repeatedly accused India of taking advantage of the US while helping Russia financially. On Monday, he wrote on Truth Social, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits.”
He claimed that India showed no concern for the devastation in Ukraine. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” he said.
He warned, “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
‘Highest Tariffs in the World,’ Says Trump
In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Trump again targeted India’s trade practices. He said India has “not been a good trading partner” because it imposes high tariffs and barriers on US goods.
“India does a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them,” he said. He also claimed India has the most “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country.”
Trump emphasized that the 25% tariffs announced in July would be followed by additional penalties. These are intended to punish India’s trade stance and ties to Russia.
Ukraine War Now Shaping India’s Trade Risk
The US President’s message suggests that countries maintaining ties with Russia may now face direct economic penalties from Washington. Trump has linked India’s import of Russian military equipment and energy with continued violence in Ukraine.
“India has always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia,” Trump said. He added that India and China are Russia’s biggest energy customers.
“All things not good,” he concluded, implying that trade retaliation could pressure India to review its Russia policy.
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Tariffs as a Tool of Geopolitical Leverage
Trump’s assertive behaviour suggests that the US may employ trade policy differently going forward, not only to safeguard its economy but also to influence alliances for international security.
With Russia depending on international energy exports and Ukraine continuing under siege, India is torn between maintaining its strategic neutrality and the growing pressure from the West. New Delhi and Washington, two partners already managing a complicated relationship, may become more tense if the tariffs take effect as promised within 24 hours.
