Trump Admits 50% Tariff on India Strained US-India Relations

In a candid admission during a Fox News interview on Friday, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that his administration’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on India for buying oil from Russia has severely strained relations between the two major democracies.

“Look, India was their (Russia’s) biggest customer. I put a 50% tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do,” Trump said during the interview on Fox & Friends. “That’s a big deal. And it causes a rift with India.”

The move has triggered outrage across India, fueling a spike in anti-US sentiment as many see the tariffs as unfair punishment for New Delhi’s pursuit of energy security. India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has continued purchasing discounted Russian crude despite Western sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Trump: Trade Talks Derail Amid Escalating Tariffs

The US had initially levied an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, which Trump later doubled to 50% from August 27 as a retaliatory step against India’s oil purchases from Russia. This escalation came at a time when bilateral trade exceeds $190 billion annually, making the fallout economically significant.

Efforts to strike a compromise have stumbled. Trade talks collapsed after India resisted opening its massive agricultural and dairy markets—long-standing demands from Washington. These disagreements have left the once-burgeoning partnership caught in a storm of mutual suspicion.

Signs of a Diplomatic Reset

Despite the tensions, Trump indicated this week that negotiations were still underway to address trade barriers and signaled an intent to speak directly with Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister. “We are continuing talks, and I’ll be speaking to Modi,” Trump noted, suggesting that both sides may be looking for an off-ramp from the trade war.

Sergio Gor, nominated by Trump as the next US Ambassador to India and also named Special Envoy for South Asia, sought to downplay the tensions. Calling the tariffs a “little hiccup,” Gor remarked, “We hold our friends to different standards. I will make it a top priority to ensure that they’re pulled in our direction, not away from us.”

He also highlighted that Trump has refrained from personal criticism of Modi, a gesture seen as preserving space for future diplomacy. Gor expressed optimism that progress could be made during the Indian Commerce Minister’s visit to Washington next week.

Trump’s Patience with Putin Wearing Thin

In the same interview, Trump also voiced growing frustration with Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine. “Yeah. It’s sort of running out and running out fast,” Trump said when asked if his patience with the Russian President was wearing thin. While reiterating that he had maintained a good personal rapport with Putin, Trump warned that the US might have to respond more forcefully if the war drags on.

“We’re going to have to come down very, very strong,” he cautioned, noting that new sanctions on Russian banks and oil exports remain on the table, but emphasized that European nations would also need to step up their efforts.

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