Narendra Modi, Photo: Sotiris Dimitropoulos / Eurokinissi / Imago Stock & People / Profimedia
The Indian government described the new customs taxes on India imports announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, which reach 50%, as “unfair, unjustified and irrational” and warned that it will “take all necessary measures” to protect its interests.
The Foreign Ministry of New Delhi reacted so after Trump signed an executive order on which, to 25% customs duties it has already imposed on India, it added another 25% for a series of US products from India, motivating that this is a “response to continuous Russian oil purchase” by India, reports.
Trump has signed the order by which it strikes with an additional 25% tax a traditional Russian military industry ally
“It is extremely regrettable that the US chooses to impose additional customs duties for shares that many other countries also carry out for their own national interest,” the Indian Foreign Ministry's reaction shows.
Previously, India accused of “hypocrisy” Western states that have expressed criticism of its substantial commercial relations with Russia, reminding them of their own commercial relations with Russia, the country where the West continues to buy products such as natural gas or uranium.
A great Asian power ignores Trump's threats and will still buy Russia oil
According to China, India is the largest Russian oil buyer. Last year, about 36% of India's oil imports came from Russia, a substantial increase in about 2% in the years before the Ukraine.
India explains this growth by the fact that “traditional (oil) deliveries have been diverted to Europe after the conflict” in Ukraine, as European countries have sought alternatives to Russian oil, in their desire to sanction Russia.
On the other hand, Western sanctions against Russia, especially the price ceiling imposed on Russian oil below the market price, made this product more attractive for Indian companies, which have managed to save billions of dollars.
A Trump's top counselor accuses India of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. “It is practically linked to China. It is amazing”
“India not only buy massive amounts of Russian oil, but much of the bought oil sells it on the free market with high profits. They do not care how many people are killed in Ukraine by Russia's war car,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social Platform on Monday.
“For this reason, I will substantially increase customs duties paid by India to the US,” the US president added. He threatened India in addition to an unspecified penalty for commercial ties and procurement in Russia, ignoring the fact that India was since the Cold War a traditional client of the Russian military industry.
Trump invokes Moscow's “war car” to hit India with new customs taxes: “Buy massive amounts of Russian oil”
