Washington, D.C. | August 7, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday defended his administration’s decision to impose steep new tariffs on Indian imports, stating that further secondary sanctions could be expected in the coming days.
Speaking to reporters during a press briefing, Trump was asked why India was singled out for punitive trade measures despite the fact that multiple countries continue to import oil from Russia.
“It’s only been eight hours. So let’s see what happens,” Trump replied. “You’re going to see a lot more. You’re going to see so many secondary sanctions.”
The remarks come hours after Trump formally increased tariffs on Indian goods by an additional 25%, raising the total levy to 50%—one of the highest imposed by the U.S. on any single trading partner. The move is widely seen as a response to India’s continued energy and defense ties with Russia, despite Western sanctions.
When pressed about whether China could face similar tariff actions for its Russian oil imports, Trump suggested the matter was under review:
“It may happen. I don’t know, I can’t tell you yet. But we did it with India. We are doing it probably with a couple of others, one of them could be China.”
The comments mark a significant escalation in Trump’s economic warfare approach, which includes expanding country-specific tariffs and exerting pressure on U.S. allies and adversaries alike to sever ties with Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The Indian government has yet to officially respond to the latest tariff hike. Experts warn the move could strain bilateral trade, which was valued at over $190 billion in 2024, and could prompt retaliatory measures.
Further announcements regarding additional secondary sanctions are expected in the coming days, as Trump signals a more aggressive stance against countries seen as circumventing or undermining U.S.-led efforts to isolate Russia.
