Trump Accuses India and China of Funding Russia’s War, Imposes Fresh Tariffs
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly this week, U.S. President Donald Trump turned his focus on India and China, accusing both countries of being “primary funders” of Russia’s war in Ukraine through their continued purchases of Russian oil. In a wide-ranging, hour-long address—his first since beginning his second term—Trump sharply criticized not only New Delhi and Beijing but also NATO allies for failing to fully cut energy ties with Moscow.
Trump alleged that by importing Russian crude in large quantities, India and China were essentially helping finance the war. While it is widely known that China buys more Russian oil than India, the U.S. has chosen to act most visibly against New Delhi. The administration has already doubled tariffs on several categories of Indian goods, imposing what it called “penalty tariffs” of 25%.
“China and India are primary funders of war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump declared from the UN stage. “It is inexcusable that even NATO countries have not cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products.”
The Tariff Weapon
Trump hinted at even tougher measures if Moscow refuses to come to the table for a ceasefire. According to him, Washington is prepared to impose another “very strong round of powerful tariffs” designed to squeeze Russia’s ability to fund its war machine. However, he insisted that for these tariffs to have real bite, America’s European partners would need to adopt the same measures.
The European Union, which just last week rolled out its 19th round of sanctions on Russia, has not imposed tariffs on India for its oil imports. However, Brussels has gone after Indian companies tied to Moscow, including Nayara Energy, a Rosneft-backed firm that processes much of the Russian crude flowing into India.
Old Claim Resurfaces
Interestingly, Trump also resurrected one of his long-standing claims: that he personally stepped in to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan. Referring to a supposed ceasefire during “Operation Sindoor” in May, he told the UN that his intervention prevented a potentially dangerous conflict in South Asia.
India, for its part, has consistently denied that such mediation ever took place. When Trump previously raised the issue, New Delhi dismissed it as inaccurate, stressing that disputes with Pakistan are strictly bilateral matters.
“Seven Wars Ended”
The former businessman-turned-President went further, boasting that he had put an end to “seven wars” during his time in office. He listed conflicts ranging from Cambodia and Thailand to Kosovo and Serbia, Congo and Rwanda, and even tensions between Israel and Iran. Among these, he included the supposed India-Pakistan clash, which he described as “raging with countless thousands of people being killed” before his alleged intervention.
“No President or Prime Minister—and for that matter, no other country—has done anything close to that, and I did it in just seven months,” Trump declared, in his typical style of self-congratulation.
India’s Response
While the Indian government has not yet officially responded to the latest UN remarks, New Delhi has pushed back in the past. In August, the Ministry of External Affairs argued that targeting India for its Russian oil imports was unfair, especially when many other nations also continue to buy Russian energy. India has further pointed out that the U.S. itself continues certain categories of trade with Russia, including minerals and other critical supplies.
As Trump sharpens his rhetoric at the UN, the question now is whether Washington’s pressure campaign—through tariffs and public criticism—will force India to scale back its Russian energy imports, or whether New Delhi will continue to chart an independent course in its foreign policy.
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