Trump threatens: “You will see many secondary sanctions”

Donald Trump promised this Wednesday to impose more secondary sanctions against countries that buy Russian oil. The threat from the US president to apply more restrictive measures comes after Washington imposed an additional 25% tariff on India. “Only eight hours have passed. So let’s see what happens in the next ones. You will see much more. […] You will see many secondary sanctions“, said the president, answering a journalist’s question about why Trump did not impose additional tariffs on all countries that are buying Russian oil. In addition, the president did not rule out the imposition of additional tariffs on China. “It could happen”, he said.

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Tariff war

This week, Trump’s harsh rhetoric against India intensified. On August 4, the American president threatened New Delhi with a new tariff blow as punishment for the “large profits” that India obtains from the sale of Russian crude oil in “the open market”, while accusing the Indian authorities of “not caring” about the human losses of the conflict in Ukraine. India dismissed the criticisms as “unfair and unreasonable” and defended its energy strategy, stating that if it buys Russian oil it is due to a “need imposed by global market conditions.” For its part, from Moscow described the demands of the US to India as “threats” illegitimate.

This Wednesday, the U.S. president signed an executive order to impose an additional 25% tariff on India for the purchase of Russian crude oil. Consequently, and in accordance with applicable law, articles from India imported into the U.S. customs territory will be subject to an additional ‘ad valorem’ tariff of 25%”, reads the document.

The introduction of these additional tariffs was described as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” by the Indian Foreign Ministry, which assured that New Delhi will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests.

Strategic Partnership with Russia

At the same time, in the midst of Trump’s tariff war against India, New Delhi and Moscow reaffirmed their strategic partnership in the metallurgical and industrial field, the press service of the Indian Government communicated after the 11th meeting of the bilateral working group, held this Wednesday in New Delhi. “Both parties celebrated the strengthening of cooperation in the aluminum, fertilizer, and railway transport sectors, as well as in training and technology transfer for mining sector equipment, exploration, and management of industrial and domestic waste,” reads the statement.

Duplicity

Despite Trump imposing a new tariff on India for the purchase of Russian oil, trade figures show that the US itself continues to acquire Russian products. According to Firstpost, last year Washington imported from Russia fertilizers worth 1.1 billion dollars, palladium for 878 million, uranium for 624 million and aircraft parts and components for a total of 75 million dollars. However, the president gave an evasive answer to a journalist’s question, who pointed out the president’s criticism of India for trading with Russia, a practice that, according to New Delhi, Washington also carries out by not having completely cut off commercial ties with Moscow. “India claims that the United States imports Russian uranium, chemicals, and fertilizers while criticizing its energy imports [from India]. What is your response?” asked the journalist at a press conference this Tuesday. However, Trump did not explain his harsh rhetoric against India and simply replied: “I don’t know anything about it. I would have to verify it.”