Trump blames India, threatens more tariffs over Russian oil as Alaska meet with Putin nears

Washington has accused New Delhi of “fuelling” Russia’s war machine by buying discounted crude. This escalation comes as Trump heads to Alaska to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin, aiming to strike a deal to “stop” the Ukraine war.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Wednesday, Bessent confirmed Washington has already slapped secondary tariffs on India for sourcing Russian oil — and hinted at more if Trump’s talks with Moscow don’t produce results.

“We’ve put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,” he said.

The warning underscores worsening India–US ties and Trump’s effort to turn India into a convenient scapegoat, despite New Delhi’s repeated assertion of its right to secure its people’s welfare and economic stability.

Recently, Evan A. Feigenbaum, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia under George W. Bush, now vice president at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, criticised Trump for dismantling US-India relations, painstakingly built by both sides over two decades.

“Donald Trump is in the process of dismantling the very relationship that US diplomats, Indian leaders, and multiple administrations painstakingly built since the early 2000s,” he said without mincing words.

He warned that Trump’s approach is not just a breach of diplomatic norms but a politicisation of the partnership: “It required political risks. Above all, it required trust. That trust is eroding fast. If Trump’s vision dominates, where every relationship is transactional and every partner must choose sides, then the US–India bond may not survive the pressure.”

India has defended its buying strategy, pointing to the need for affordable energy for its massive population amid volatile global prices.

Relationship with US will advance based on mutual respect & interests: India

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described India–US ties as a “comprehensive global strategic partnership” grounded in shared interests, democratic values, and robust bilateral cooperation.

“The partnership has endured various transitions and challenges in the past… it will continue to advance on the basis of mutual respect and common interests,” the MEA spokesperson said.

He added, “We have already issued our statement and would draw your attention to it,” and clarified there has been “no decision on whether PM Modi will be going for the United Nations General Assembly or not.”

Trump and Putin are set to meet in Anchorage on Friday to push for a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire, with Trump warning of “severe consequences” if Moscow refuses.

Bessent asks Europe to support Trump's tariff war

Bessent urged Europe to toughen its stance, saying: “The Europeans need to join us in these sanctions. The Europeans need to be willing to put on these secondary sanctions.”

The US administration insists the tariffs are part of a broader bid to “make global trade fairer” and reduce America’s $45 billion trade deficit with India.

Trump, who has long labelled India a “tariff abuser,” appears eager to wield trade policy as a political and geopolitical weapon.

US trade envoys are due in New Delhi on 25 August for talks, but with the Alaska meeting looming, the outcome may be decided far from the negotiating table.