In a swift and sharp reaction to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat against India, Russia’s Kremlin has stated that it does not consider such “pressures” legal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trading partners, and any attempts to force them to cut ties with Russia are “illegal.”
Trump’s warning, which he issued on social media, accused India of buying discounted Russian oil and then selling it for profit, suggesting a lack of concern for the conflict in Ukraine. The US President threatened to “substantially” increase tariffs on Indian goods, a measure that would follow the 25% tariffs already in place since August 1.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued its own firm response, labeling the targeting of New Delhi by the US and European Union as “unjustified and unreasonable.” The statement made it clear that India would take “all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” a resolute rejection of the US demands.
The episode reveals the complex dynamics of the current geopolitical landscape. Russia’s vocal defense of India, a key trading partner, reinforces the close ties between the two nations. The situation underscores the resistance from multiple countries to what they perceive as Washington’s attempts to use its economic leverage to dictate their foreign policy.