US President Donald Trump accuses China and India of funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil. Announces new tariffs on India; New Delhi calls them unjustified.
Trump Slams China and India Over Russian Oil Purchases at UNGA
United Nations Headquarters, New York — In a hard-hitting address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), US President Donald Trump accused China and India of being the “primary funders” of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking before world leaders on Tuesday, Trump declared that both Asian powers continue to bankroll Moscow by purchasing Russian oil, despite global calls to cut economic ties with the Kremlin.
“China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump told the Assembly, as he urged nations to tighten sanctions and cut off financial lifelines sustaining the conflict.
US Raises Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil
Escalating Washington’s response, the Trump administration has imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on New Delhi, penalizing India for its continued reliance on Russian crude. This move raises the total US levies on Indian goods to 50 percent — among the highest tariff rates currently imposed by the United States on any country.
The tariff hike signals growing friction in the Washington-New Delhi relationship, even as both countries remain strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific. The White House framed the decision as a necessary step to pressure India to align with Western sanctions against Moscow.
India Pushes Back, Calls US Tariffs “Unjustified”
New Delhi, however, wasted no time in rejecting Washington’s move. The Indian government issued a sharp statement, calling the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable.”
“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” a government spokesperson said. Officials in New Delhi stressed that India’s energy imports are guided by national priorities, including affordability and security, and not by external pressure.
India has long defended its purchases of Russian oil, arguing that the imports help stabilize global energy markets and meet the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens.
Global Impact: A New Flashpoint in the Ukraine War
Trump’s remarks at the UNGA highlight the growing tension between Washington and two of the world’s largest economies. While China’s support for Moscow has been a longstanding US concern, India’s position is more complex — balancing historical ties with Russia, its strategic partnership with the US, and its own domestic energy demands.
Experts warn that escalating tariffs could disrupt trade flows and trigger economic consequences beyond India and the US. At the same time, the accusation of indirectly funding Russia’s war machine may complicate New Delhi’s global image, especially as it aspires to play a leading role on the world stage.
President Trump’s strong remarks at the UN General Assembly underscore Washington’s hardening stance on countries continuing to trade with Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict. While China is unlikely to alter its course, the sharp tariff hike on India reveals growing pressure on New Delhi to reconsider its energy policy. With both nations standing firm, the standoff risks widening geopolitical fractures at a time when global unity is being tested.