US president has argued New Delhi indirectly helping fund Ukraine war as experts say move is ‘own goal’ against ally

Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most US imports from India, making good on a threat to punish one of the world’s largest economies over its purchases of discounted Russian oil.

The tariffs, which came into effect just after midnight on Wednesday in Washington, risk inflicting significant damage on the Indian economy and further disrupting global supply chains.

US tariffs of 25% on Indian goods went into force earlier this month, but Trump announced plans to double the rate, citing New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, which the White House has argued is indirectly funding Russia’s war against Ukraine.

  • Skiluros@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    3 days ago

    S Jaishankar, the external affairs minister, called Washington’s demand that New Delhi stop buying Russian crude “unjustified and unreasonable” and accused the west of hypocrisy, noting that Europe trades far more with Russia. To avoid the extra US tariff, India would have to replace about 42% of its oil imports.

    The 42% figure needs some contextualisation. I believe the figure was significantly less (single digits?) before the beginning of the full scale invasion.