Trump’s Trade Adviser Targets India Over Russian Oil

• Trump adviser Peter Navarro brands India the “Maharaja of tariffs.”
• Says 50% US duties on Indian goods will take effect next week; 25% punitive tranche from Aug 27.
• Alleges India’s Russian oil share rose from ~1% pre-2022 to ~35%; calls it a “refining profit-sharing scheme.”
• Claims India refines discounted Russian crude and resells at premiums in Europe, Africa, Asia.

GG News Bureau
Washington, 22nd Aug: US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has launched a fresh attack on India, branding it the “Maharaja of tariffs” and accusing New Delhi of running a “profiteering scheme” through Russian oil imports.

Speaking outside the White House, Navarro said punitive tariffs of 50% on Indian goods are set to take effect next week. “Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India virtually bought no Russian oil. It was one per cent of their need. Now it’s 35 per cent. They don’t need the oil. It’s a laundromat for the Kremlin,” he alleged.

Navarro’s Charges

Navarro accused India of buying discounted Russian crude, refining it, and reselling products to Europe, Africa, and Asia at premium prices.

“It is purely profiteering by the Indian refining industry… The money flows to Russia, which builds arms to kill Ukrainians, and then US taxpayers foot the bill. That’s insane,” he said.

He further criticised India’s trade policies:

“They are Maharaja in tariff. Non-tariff barriers, massive trade deficit – it all hurts American workers.”

India Pushes Back

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his Moscow visit, rejected Washington’s reasoning.

“We are perplexed at the logic. Americans themselves asked us to stabilise energy markets by buying Russian oil,” he said, stressing India’s choices were guided by market conditions and national interest.

India, now the largest buyer of Russian oil, accounts for 37% of Moscow’s exports, according to Kasatkin Consulting.

China Angle

Navarro also accused New Delhi of “cosying up” to Beijing, as India and China recently agreed to explore demarcating their disputed border. China’s envoy Xu Feihong publicly backed India against Washington’s tariff pressure, calling the US a “bully.”

Rising Tariff War

Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including an extra 25% levy linked to Russian oil imports. Critics note China—the biggest buyer of Russian crude—has not faced similar measures.

India’s reliance on Russian crude surged from 1.7% of imports in 2019-20 to 35.1% in 2024-25, making Moscow its top oil supplier.