Trump threatens to significantly increase tariffs on India by leveraging Russian oil trade, India and the Kremlin respond.

On August 5, U.S. President Trump threatened to significantly increase tariffs imposed on India on August 4. According to reports from British Reuters, Sky News, and other media on the 5th, India responded by stating that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard national interests and economic security. Sky News reported that a spokesperson from India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has been "targeted" by the U.S. and the EU for importing oil from Russia. "In fact, India began importing oil from Russia because traditional oil supplies shifted to Europe after the conflict broke out," he said, adding, "At that time, the U.S. actively encouraged India to engage in such imports to enhance the stability of the global energy market." Additionally, according to the latest news from Agence France-Presse on the 5th, the Kremlin also criticized Trump’s remarks about increasing tariffs on India, stating, "Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trade partners," and that "forcing countries to sever trade ties with Russia" is an unjust act. (Global Times)