‘They Don’t Care How Many People in Ukraine Are Being Killed’: Trump Threatens Increased Tariffs on Buyers of Russian Oil

Latest Developments

• Targeting the Largest Buyers: President Donald Trump has stated that he will increase tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian oil, targeting India and other nations for helping fund Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through oil purchases. “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil,” Trump observed. “They are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” adding, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.” The United States’ current tariff rate on India is 25 percent, and Trump has pledged to impose 100 percent “secondary” tariffs on countries that do business with Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
• India Vows to Keep Purchasing From Russia: Trump issued his first threat against Indian oil purchases on July 31, to which the Indian government responded defiantly, saying that the “targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,” and that it intends to continue buying Russian oil. China, the European Union, and Brazil are also in Trump’s crosshairs for their purchases of Russian energy, while Turkey, Moscow’s third-largest customer, has so far avoided Trump’s scrutiny. The Chinese Foreign Ministry replied to Trump, stating that Beijing “will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests.” In March, Trump highlighted that the amount of financial aid the European Union contributes to Ukraine is smaller than the amount spent by the bloc on Russian oil and gas purchases.
• Indian Parts Found in Russian Drones: Ukrainian officials confirmed on August 5 that Indian-made components had been discovered inside Russian Shahed/Geran-type attack drones responsible for killing numerous Ukrainian civilians. “Russia must be denied access to foreign-made parts that enable these weapons and the killing of Ukrainians,” Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, stated. On August 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed further sanctions against Russia with Trump, characterizing the conversation as “productive.”

FDD Expert Response

“Russia has flouted President Trump’s repeated warnings, with Russian President Vladimir Putin making clear his hardline demands remain unchanged. Now is the time for Trump to follow through. The administration is right to focus on restricting Russian oil revenue. Secondary sanctions would offer a more precise and flexible option than secondary tariffs, though these two tools could be employed in complementary ways.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“Trump’s proposed secondary tariffs send a clear message to the world: The free ride is over, and the time for choosing is now. Countries like India, which purchase Russian energy, will no longer be able to sit on the fence. They can either fund Russia’s war machine or maintain beneficial trade with the United States.” — Peter Doran, Adjunct Senior Fellow

“Trump is rightly highlighting India’s role in buying Russian oil while Putin’s army wreaks havoc on innocent Ukrainians. But China is an even more egregious buyer of sanctioned Russian oil. Trump should be going after China for purchasing significant volumes of sanctioned Russian oil while providing a temporary waiver that gives India, a U.S. ally, a path to break its dependence on Russia before the Russia-related tariffs go into effect.” — Max Meizlish, Senior Research Analyst

“The president’s plan to impose tariffs on China for purchasing Russian oil will disrupt a budding axis of aggression between Beijing and Moscow while placing additional strain on the Chinese economy during a period of profound stress. This will add another possible avenue for the United States to gain leverage over China in ongoing trade talks.” — Jack Burnham, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘I’m Not So Interested In Talking Anymore’: Trump Announces Shortened Deadline for Russia to Agree to Ceasefire in Ukraine,” FDD Flash Brief

“Trump’s Russia Sanctions Toolkit: Options to Increase Leverage to End Putin’s War Against Ukraine,” by Max Meizlish and John Hardie

“How Trump can stop killings in Ukraine and score a win for the US — and himself,” by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and John Hardie

“Trump Shouldn’t Fall for Russia’s Nuclear Bluster,” by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Ivana Stradner