US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he could impose further tariffs on China and some other countries similar to the additional 25% duty he announced earlier on India over its purchase of Russian oil, Reuters reported.
While talking about possible imposition of secondary sanctions on Russia by Friday in order to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, Trump told reporters that it “could happen” that the US imposes additional tariffs on China and other countries for purchasing Russian oil but didn’t provide any further information.
“It may happen…I can’t tell you yet. We did it with India. We’re probably doing it with a couple of others. One of them could be China,” Trump said. Trump was asked why India was being singled out for importing Russian oil, the US president responded saying “It’s only been eight hours… you’re gonna see a lot more, you’re going to see so much secondary sanctions,” Reuters reported.Trump on Wednesday announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, on top of the 25% tariff he earlier announced for the country, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Statement by Official Spokesperson⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/BNwLm9YmJc pic.twitter.com/DsvRvhd61D— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 6, 2025
However, while imposing the additional 25% tariff on India, the White House order did not mention China, which is also a big Russian oil importer. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier warned China that it could face new tariffs if it continues to purchase Russian oil.
India hit back at the United States for doubling the tariff on Indian goods to 50%, stating that the action was “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”. The Government of India said it would take “all actions necessary” to “protect its national interests”.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, in a statement said, “The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested he may follow through on tariff measures against China similar to those he applied to India for purchasing Russian oil. While addressing reporters, Trump stated that it “could happen” and that “we did it with India” — indicating that other countries purchasing Russian oil, including China, might face heightened tariffs The Indian ExpressThe Times of India.
📌 What Happened with India—and Why It Matters
On August 6, 2025, Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total tariff rate to 50%, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase (and alleged resale) of discounted Russian oil Al JazeeraThe Washington Postwww.ndtv.commint.
India swiftly condemned it as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” defending its energy policy as necessary to ensure affordable fuel for its 1.4 billion citizens ABP LiveThe Tribune.
Analysts point out that China imported more Russian oil than India in absolute terms in 2024, yet Trump targeted India selectively, raising questions about political motivations mint+1.
🧭 Strategic and Economic Implications
Strategic use of trade sanctions: Trump is leveraging tariffs to pressure countries whose actions he believes indirectly support Russia’s war machine. This aligns with his broader strategy of using trade leverage—particularly secondary sanctions—to influence global geopolitics Wikipedia+1mint.
Potential escalation to China: If tariffs on China materialize, it could spark a major economic confrontation. Under Trump’s second administration, tariffs on Chinese goods reached as high as 145%, though recently scaled back to around 30% under a truce expiring August 12, 2025 Wikipedia+1.
🌍 India’s Position and Pushback
India has maintained that its decisions are driven by market forces, operational compatibility, and the imperative of energy security—not political alignment CNBCmint.
The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) emphasized these imports serve the needs of Indian consumers and said similar practices are carried out by the U.S. and EU, pointing to a possible double standard in U.S. policy ABP LiveCNBC.
Despite the tariffs, Indian businesses are reportedly still bullish on trade and investment prospects—including rising U.S. oil imports and a growing AA capacity in energy diversification The Economic TimesFinancial Times.
💬 Broader Context and Next Steps
Trump’s warning comes amid ongoing diplomatic signaling: he has set an August 8 deadline for Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine or face severe sanctions, and is open to a potential summit with Putin and Zelensky TIMEFinancial Times.
Inside the U.S., Congress is advancing legislation (e.g., the Sanctioning Russi
a Act of 2025) that would authorize tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries buying Russian energy—a sign that Trump’s rhetoric might lead to legislative action Wikipedia+1.Russia’s oil-and-gas revenues dropped significantly year-over-year in July, increasing pressure on Moscow; Trump is using India (and potentially China) as leverage in this broader economic strategy Business InsiderFinancial Times.
a Act of 2025) that would authorize tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries buying Russian energy—a sign that Trump’s rhetoric might lead to legislative action ✍️ Why This Matters: Key Themes
Trade as foreign policy: Trump is using tariff tools to press geopolitical advantage—what some view as economic coercion rather than pure trade policy.
Double standards and strategic targeting: Critics highlight India’s relative engagement in Russian oil trade versus China’s larger purchases, questioning the logic behind U.S. selective enforcement.
Risks of escalation: If China is targeted next, we may see broader global economic disruption—impacting sectors like rare earths, semiconductors, agriculture, and energy markets.
India’s balancing act: New Delhi must find a way to safeguard its energy needs while managing diplomatic relations with both Washington and Moscow.
In summary, Trump’s remarks open the door to further tariff escalation—perhaps even targeting China—based on oil trade with Russia. The India case shows how these measures are not just economic but deeply geopolitical. Depending on whether the U.S. follows through, this could mark the next major front in global trade confrontations.https://theworldfinancialforum.com/participate/