India Slams Trump's Tariffs, Exposes 'Western Hypocrisy' on Russian Trade
India has sharply rejected President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian goods, calling the move “unjustified and unreasonable.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended India’s Russian oil imports as a necessary step after supply disruptions caused by the Ukraine war. It also accused the United States and European Union of double standards, citing their own continued trade with Russia in non-essential goods.
New Delhi said India would do whatever it takes to protect its energy security and economic interests. The government also exposed how the West imported far more from Russia than from India in recent years.
On August 1, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods. He accused India of having “the highest tariffs in the world” and claimed the new duty was a penalty for India’s oil trade with Russia and its continued role in the BRICS alliance.
Trump also labelled BRICS as “anti-American,” sparking concerns about growing trade tensions.
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The MEA said India had to turn to Russian oil only after the Ukraine war disrupted global supply chains. “India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe,” the MEA noted. At the time, the US even encouraged India to make those purchases to support global market stability.
India explained that the imports were not political, but essential. “Our purchases ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer,” the government said. These are national necessities, not choices.
New Delhi cited hard numbers to back its claims. In 2024, the European Union’s goods trade with Russia stood at €67.5 billion, with another €17.2 billion in services traded in 2023. That’s far beyond India’s figures.
“European imports of LNG hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024,” the MEA stated. It added that Europe is still buying mining products, machinery, chemicals, and fertilisers from Russia.
US, too, remains a buyer. “It imports uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for EVs, fertilisers, and chemicals,” India pointed out.
India rejected the US accusations as unfair. “The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” the MEA said. The government warned that it would take “all necessary measures” to protect national interests and economic security.
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There’s also a deeper battle over global perception. Trump accused India of being “anti-American” due to its BRICS membership. But India has consistently said BRICS is about economic cooperation, not ideology.
By highlighting the West’s economic ties with Russia, India is making a broader argument: it is being singled out unfairly. The country wants to reshape the narrative. It does not want to be seen as siding with any bloc, but rather acting in national interest.
The rising tension between the United States and India is exacerbated by this trade issue. Mistrust in international diplomacy may increase as a result of the contradiction in Western trade practices.
India will continue to prioritize maintaining affordable energy and protecting its trade independence, even if it means opposing Washington.
