US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would see what happens in the next few times and he never said “percentage” while increasing the tariff. The comment was made during a press conference at the White House, which was originally called to discuss the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Asked about putting 100% tariff on Russian energy buying countries, Trump said, “I never said percentage, but we will put a big part of it. See what happens in the next few times. Tomorrow we have a meeting with Russia. See what happens.”
Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley took a sarcasm at Trump to announce a huge increase in tariffs on oil imports from Russia. He said that Trump “exempted China” and he warned him of “spoiling relations with strong colleagues like India”.
Haley wrote in a post on X, “India should not buy oil from Russia. But China, which is our opponent and Russian and Iranian oil number one buyer, has got a 90 -day tariff postponement. Do not give up China and do not spoil your relationship with strong colleagues like India.”
“India is promoting war machine” – Trump
According to Reuters, Trump said on Tuesday that he will “increase the tariff on imports from India” to a large extent “in the next 24 hours, as New Delhi is constantly purchasing Russian oil. He said in an interview to CNBC, “They are promoting war machines, and if they are going to do so, I will not be happy.”
Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, “India is not only buying a huge amount of Russian oil, but a large part of the oil purchased in the open market for huge profits.
The report also stated that Trump said as the main dispute with India that his tariffs are already very high, but he did not provide any new tariff rate.
India reacted strictly saying that “America itself is trade with Russia”. India strongly dismissed the allegations of US President Donald Trump and the Ministry of External Affairs described it as “unfair and indispensable”.
The government statement said, “Actually, India started imports from Russia because traditional supply was diverted to Europe after the introduction of the struggle. At that time the US actively encouraged such imports by India to strengthen the stability of the global energy market.”
The statement said that India aims to ensure domestic energy security only and maintain an estimated and affordable cost for Indian consumers.
India retaliated and said that “The same countries who criticize India are indulging in trade from Russia themselves. Unlike our case, such business is not even an important national obligation.”
The statement further stated that the US is continuing import of paladium, fertilizer and chemicals for its nuclear industry from Russia, uranium hexaphloride, for its electric vehicle industry. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “In this background, targeting India is unfair and indispensable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security.”
India also underlined that the bilateral trade of Russia and the European Union in 2024 reached 67.5 billion euros, including 16.5 million tonnes of LNG – which is more than India’s trade with Russia.
Trump does not know what America imports?
During the White House press conference, when ANI asked Trump if the US imports chemicals and fertilizers from Russia, Trump said, “Neither” I don’t know anything about it. We have to investigate it. “
The reply came after India’s claim in which it said that the US is still importing uranium hexafloride from Russia, which is necessary for its nuclear industry and fertilizers. ANI has also approached Trump’s press team on this and is waiting for the reply.
