Washington, DC: White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro slammed India's choice to buy Russian oil on Wednesday, arguing that New Delhi should behave like a democracy and ally with other democratic countries.
Navarro told Bloomberg Television's Balance of Power that India's oil purchases indirectly support Russia's war effort, which puts pressure on the US to help Ukraine financially.
Due to its continuous purchase of Russian oil, the US slapped a 50% tariff on Indian goods on Wednesday, and his remarks followed the imposition. The total tariff on Indian products now stands at 50% due to the additional 25% tax imposed by the United States. The action has been denounced by India as unfair and irrational.
The Indians are so cocky about it. They claim that our taxes aren't higher. Ah, it's our sovereignty. We are free to purchase oil from anyone we choose. India, you are the largest democracy on the planet. Okay? Behave accordingly. In the interview, he stated that he supports the democracies.
While the United States and the European Union continue to import Russian goods, India is being unfairly targeted for purchasing Russian oil, according to the Foreign Ministry.
US authorities have voiced concerns about India's energy ties with Russia, but the country's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, has refuted these criticisms. To assist stabilize the world markets, the US had previously urged India to buy Russian oil, he said.
Additionally, Navarro made the statement, "You're getting in bed with the authoritarians," and attacked India's expanding relationship with China. You've been fighting them for decades, China. They attacked all of your land and Aksai Chin. These individuals are not your pals.
Xu Feihong, the Chinese ambassador to India, cautioned that silence or compromise just encourages the bully and that China is prepared to collaborate with India in protecting the multilateral trading system, which is centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The United States imposed far-reaching and significant tariffs on India under the direction of President Donald Trump. In addition to a 25% levy that went into effect on Thursday, Trump also imposed a 25% tariff on India as a penalty for buying Russian oil and gas.
The combined penalties would result in an astounding 50% total tariff on products exported to the United States, which is among the highest tariffs imposed by the country. The new tariffs were imposed by Trump, who claimed they were aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Not only is India purchasing enormous amounts of Russian oil, but it is also selling a large portion of the oil it has acquired on the open market for significant gains. He posted on social media that they don't give a damn about the number of Ukrainians being murdered by the Russian War Machine.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the majority of European nations ceased purchasing Russian oil. According to CNN, it is currently a crucial source of income for Moscow, with China, India, and Turkey among Russia's major customers.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, on the other hand, have blasted US President Donald Trump for levying tariffs on India because it purchased Russian oil, while saving China and other nations that are purchasing more.
The Committee claimed in a blog post that Trump's choice to impose tariffs just on India is harming Americans and destroying the US-India relationship. The committee questioned the administration's intentions, saying, "It's almost as if it has nothing to do with Ukraine at all. "
