President Donald Trump has hinted that the US might refrain from imposing more secondary tariffs on countries still purchasing crude oil from Russia.
The statement followed his summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without any agreement on ending the war between Ukraine.
“Putin has basically lost India as a customer for oil, as they were taking nearly 40% of the market. China, of course, still buys heavily. If I imposed secondary sanctions or tariffs, it would hurt them bigly. If it is necessary, I will do it. But perhaps it won’t be,” Trump told an American broadcaster in an interview.
For India, Trump’s remarks would assuage fears of having to pay higher penalties for its energy commerce with Moscow.
Washington had already slapped a 25% tariff on Indian imports from 7th August 2025. Trump then announced an additional 25% duty based on India’s purchase of oil from Russia, bringing the total tax on Indian products entering the US to 50%. The second tranche of tariffs is set to come into effect on 27th August 2025.
When questioned about imposing similar measures on China, Trump brushed it aside, stating, “I don’t have to think about that now.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, ahead of the Alaska meeting, had cautioned that India may be targeted with further secondary sanctions if talks with Putin did not yield any positive outcomes.
