Washington, August 14, 2025: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that secondary tariffs on India could rise further if President Donald Trump’s upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska do not deliver progress.
In an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Bessent said, “We put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. I could see, if things don’t go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up.”
President Trump last week announced 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, including a 25 per cent duty on crude oil purchases from Russia. The new measures are scheduled to take effect on August 27.
Bessent underlined that sanctions remain flexible, noting they could be raised, eased, or extended indefinitely. He highlighted concerns over Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, suggesting Washington could tighten restrictions on this network.
On China, the largest buyer of Russian crude, Bessent offered few details but stressed that Trump is “the best at creating leverage” and would make it clear to Putin that “all options are on the table.” He also urged European allies to align with Washington by imposing tougher secondary sanctions.
Recalling the G7 summit in Canada earlier this year, Bessent said he had floated the idea of a 200 per cent secondary tariff on China, but noted that other leaders were hesitant to commit.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the US tariffs, calling them “unjustified and unreasonable.” The ministry said India would “take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security” in response to Washington’s escalating trade pressure.
US Treasury Warns India Could Face Higher Tariffs if Trump-Putin Talks Fail
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