Dont know anything: Trump on US-Russia trade after India alleges double standards
The comment came amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. Last week, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and an undisclosed penalty over India's continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil. On Tuesday, he went a step further, threatening to impose "additional tariffs within the next 24 hours".
New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed ignorance when asked about his criticism of India's trade with Russia, despite the US continuing its own business with Moscow.
"I don't know anything about it, I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that," Trump said in response to a reporter's question at a public event.
The comment came amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. Last week, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and an undisclosed penalty over India's continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil. On Tuesday, he went a step further, threatening to impose "additional tariffs within the next 24 hours".
Trump says India not a good trading partner
Speaking to CNBC, Trump said, "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25 per cent, but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil. They're fuelling the war machine."
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) accused the West -- particularly the US and the European Union -- of double standards, pointing out that they continue trade with Russia even while criticising India for doing the same. The ministry described the US criticism as "unjustified and unreasonable".
The MEA reiterated that India's sourcing of defence and energy supplies is based on national interest and market conditions. "Our energy sourcing is guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances," the statement read.
Nikki Haley criticises Trump's tariff threats
India's imports of Russian crude have surged since the war in Ukraine began, rising from just 0.2 per cent to nearly 40 per cent of its total crude imports, following heavy discounts offered by Moscow.
Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to the UN and Republican leader Nikki Haley criticised Trump's tariff threats, warning that such a move could damage a key strategic partnership.
"India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause," she posted on X. "Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," she added.