Trump hints at additional sanctions on Russian oil buyers, including China

US President Donald Trump hinted at 'secondary sanctions' on other countries in response to India being singled out for these additional sanctions

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) hinted at more "secondary sanctions" on a couple of other countries, and "one of them could be China". This comes after he announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for purchasing Russian crude oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

 

Trump made these remarks during a press conference at the White House. When a reporter asked why India was being singled out despite several other countries, including China, buying Russian oil, Trump said, "It's only been eight hours. So let's see what happens. You're going to see a lot more...You're going to see so much secondary sanctions [sic]."  

 

 

  When asked whether he had any similar plans of imposing penalties on China, Trump said, "Could happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen."

 

Trump imposes additional tariffs on India

 

Earlier, Trump raised India's tariff rate to 50 per cent after he levied an additional 25 per cent tariff for its Russian energy purchases. In the order issued by the White House, Trump claimed that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. 

 

In response, India termed the move "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable", adding that New Delhi would take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests".

 

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India."

 

"It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added."We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests", it added.