- US President Trump claimed Russia lost India as an oil client due to Washington penalties on New Delhi
- He indicated he may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russian crude oil
- "If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it," he said
US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed Russia lost India as one of its oil clients after Washington announced a penalty on New Delhi over the purchases, but indicated he may not impose such secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russian crude oil.
The President's remarks came even as New Delhi is yet to confirm any halt in oil purchases from Moscow after Washington announced a 25 per cent duty in addition to a 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods last month. The additional duty is scheduled to come into effect on August 27.
The US had threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil if no moves are made to end the war in Ukraine. China and India are the top two buyers of Russian oil.
"Well, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot...And if I did what's called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it," Mr Trump told Fox News as he departed for Alaska for a high-stakes meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Trump says he may not impose 25% tariffs on India (to kick in from 27 August) for buying Russian oil..
— Dhairya Maheshwari (@dhairyam14) August 16, 2025
Trump: "They lost oil client India which was doing about 40% of the oil & China's doing a lot, if I did a secondary tariff it would be devastating, if I have to I will, may be… pic.twitter.com/dhyC7RpHNh
On August 6, Mr Trump escalated his tariff offensive against India by slapping an additional 25 per cent duty and subsequently doubling it to 50 per cent on Indian goods over New Delhi's continuous imports of Russian oil.
India condemned the "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" move that is likely to hit sectors such as textiles, marine and leather exports hard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said New Delhi would not back down in the face of economic pressure.
With this action singling out New Delhi for the Russian oil imports, India will attract the highest US tariff of 50 per cent along with Brazil. Both Russia and China, among others, have slammed Mr Trump for exerting illegal trade pressure on India.
A Bloomberg report claimed India's state-owned refiners stopped buying Russian crude after Mr Trump's action even though the Centre is yet to make any announcement in this regard.
On Thursday, Indian Oil Corporation chairman AS Sahney said India has not halted oil purchases from Russia and continues to buy solely on the basis of economic considerations.
India became the largest customer of Russian oil in 2022, after western countries shunned Russian oil and imposed sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
According to a report by the State Bank of India, India's crude oil import bill could increase by USD 9 billion this financial year and USD 12 billion in the next, if the country stops buying Russian crude oil. The report also said that India can consider buying oil from Iraq - its top supplier before the Ukraine war - followed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the event of cutting off the Russian supplies.
Data intelligence firm Kpler Ltd reported Russian crude is being offered to Indian buyers at lower prices as European Union sanctions and threats of penalties from the US cloud the demand outlook, Bloomberg reported.
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