Trump's 100% tariff threat on Russian oil: What it means for India-US ties
A proposed 100% tariff on Russian oil could strain India-US relations but may not shift Russia's policies, an expert says.
A threat by US President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on Russian oil could complicate India-US relations, even as it appears unlikely to change Russia's own policy course, according to an expert assessment.
Rajoshri Roy, a Research Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, weighed in on the implications of such a measure for New Delhi's ties with Washington.
According to her analysis, the tariff threat may serve as leverage aimed at pushing through a trade deal rather than as a definitive rupture in the relationship.
Roy pointed to past instances where exemptions were granted, suggesting that there could be leeway for India to navigate the complex situation.
The comments come amid broader questions about how far the United States might go in using trade measures to target countries that continue buying Russian crude.
For India, which has relied heavily on discounted Russian oil, the prospect of steep tariffs raises difficult choices. Yet the expert's reading indicates that the relationship may still be managed through negotiation and existing flexibilities.
The key question, she suggested, is whether the tariff threat is a bargaining tactic or a policy end in itself — and past precedent offers some ground for optimism.