The development came in shortly after Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged positive outlook about the India-US relations and referred to ongoing efforts to seal a trade deal
US President Trump made the demand during a call to a meeting between top US and EU officials in Washington. File Pic/AFP
US President Donald Trump has reportedly asked the European Union (EU) to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India and China for buying crude oil from Russia, according to a news report by the Financial Times.
The report came just after President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared positive messages online about India-US relations, and mentioned ongoing work on a trade deal.
According to the news report, Trump made the demand during a call to a meeting between top US and EU officials in Washington. The meeting focused on finding new ways to put economic pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
A US official told the paper that Washington is ready to match any EU-imposed tariffs on China and India.
Relations between India and the US have worsened recently, especially after President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods -- raising them to 50 per cent, including extra 25 per cent duties for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
India had called the US move "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".
However, social media exchanges between PM Modi and Donald Trump show signs of an effort to improve ties again.
In recent days, members of the Trump administration, including White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, have made strong statements against India. Navarro accused India of turning into a "massive refining hub and oil money laundromat for the Kremlin" due to its purchase of discounted Russian oil, according to the PTI.
India has defended its actions, saying its oil imports are based on national interest and market prices. India began buying more Russian oil after Western nations sanctioned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
As a result, Russia’s share in India’s oil imports rose from 1.7 per cent in 2019–20 to 35.1 per cent in 2024-25, making it India’s biggest oil supplier, the news agency reported.
The report comes as Donald Trump is renewing his efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. Last month, he reportedly held summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to find a possible solution to the war.
(with PTI inputs)
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