“I don’t know anything about it”: Trump on U.S. imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) stated that he had no knowledge that the United States imports Russian Chemicals and fertilizers. The rebuttal came after India claimed that U.S. continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals.

When asked by the ANI about U.S. Imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers during a press conference at the White House, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t know anything about it. We will have to check.” ANI has reached out to the President’s press team and awaits for a response.

The comment came a day after the U.S. President announced that the United States would “substantially raise” tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil. ”India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits. 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 U.S.A. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!” Mr. Trump had said in a post on Truth Social on Monday (August 4, 2025).

The U.S. President’s statement was strongly rejected by India, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling the targeting of India “unjustified and unreasonable.” In a detailed response, India said its imports from Russia were based on market needs and energy security, especially after Western nations diverted traditional supplies to Europe following the Ukraine conflict. ”In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the statement noted.

The government also pointed to continued trade between Russia and both the United States and the European Union. ”Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the MEA statement said.

n a moment that raised eyebrows globally, U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that he had no knowledge of whether the United States imports chemicals, fertilizers, or uranium from Russia. His comment, delivered on August 5, 2025, during a White House press event, came in response to India’s criticism of what it termed U.S. “double standards”—accusing Washington of attacking India’s energy deals with Russia while continuing its own procurement of critical Russian materials. The TribuneThe Indian Express

The Remark That Caught Attention

When questioned specifically about claims that the U.S. continues to import from Russia—including uranium hexafluoride, fertilizers, and chemicals—Trump replied simply, “I don’t know anything about it. I’d have to check, but we’ll get back to you on that.” The TribuneThePrint The statement came at a delicate geopolitical moment, just as he was ramping up pressure on India over its Russian oil purchases—a move India countered, calling it “unjustified and unreasonable.” The Indian ExpressThe Economic TimesThe Times of India

India’s Counter-Argument

India’s Ministry of External Affairs pointed out that not only did the U.S.—but also the EU—continued to engage in trade with Russia, extending beyond oil to include fertilisers, chemicals, and critical minerals like uranium and palladium. India framed its own imports as necessities driven by energy and food security, rather than political allegiance. The Economic TimesThe Indian Express

Geopolitical and Trade Tensions Escalating

These comments are part of a broader narrative. Trump’s administration has escalated its use of trade tools—vowing secondary tariffs on countries trading with Moscow, including potential duties of unspecified “significant” magnitude. The Wall Street JournalThe Economic Times Notably, India has already been hit with a 25% tariff, pushing some goods to a whopping 50%, as Washington tries to penalize it for maintaining economic links with Russia amid the Ukraine war. New York PostIndiatimes

The Broader Implications

Trump’s admission of ignorance, whether strategic or unintentional, opens several lines of inquiry:

• Policy Disconnect: The surprise response hints at either a gap in coordination between policymakers—or potential downplaying of U.S.–Russia trade exposure while targeting other countries.

• Credibility and Consistency: If the U.S. is indeed importing critical inputs from Russia, it risks undermining its own moral positioning in criticizing allies for doing the same.

• Geopolitical Ramifications: With trade instruments like tariffs wielded as political leverage, ambiguity in U.S. trade practices could complicate diplomacy and heighten global tensions.

What Lies Ahead

With Trump’s team yet to “get back” on the matter, eyes are on whether the administration will clarify the scale—and legality—of such imports from Russia. Meanwhile, other countries like Brazil are nervously watching developments, fearing similar trade punishments due to their reliance on Russian diesel and fertilizers. Financial Times

Conclusion

President Trump’s blunt admission of unawareness—“I don’t know anything about it”—on U.S. imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers has stirred controversy and spotlighted possible inconsistencies in grander trade narratives. As tariff threats and diplomatic pressure mount, the question remains: will the U.S. continue accusing others of complicity while quietly engaging in similar trade behaviors? Only time—and perhaps some transparency—will tell.