‘Well played, President Trump’: US Senator who wants 500% tariff for Russian oil says India has ‘earned’ reduction to 18%
India-US trade deal: Lindsey Graham, the US Senator, who was propagating a bill that would impose 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian crude oil has said that India has ‘earned’ the tariff reduction to 18%. , stepping up purchases of US oil, probability of India buying Venezuelan oil in the future, committing to $500 billion purchase of US energy, technology, coal, and agricultural products, and India bring down tariffs on US goods to zero.Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the trade deal and called the reduction in tariff rate on India to 18% a ‘wonderful announcement’. However, PM Modi’s social media post on X (formerly Twitter), did not mention any promises on Russian crude etc.
“Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement. When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” PM Modi posted on X.Also Read | India-US trade deal: Top 7 points Trump says he agreed on with PM Modi
‘Well played, President Trump’
US Senator Lindsey Graham linked the trade deal to India lowering crude oil imports from Russia, and hailed Trump’s pressure tactics. In a post on X, Graham commended US President Donald Trump’s strategy, arguing that applying economic pressure on countries purchasing Russian energy is starting to deliver results. “Well played, President Trump. I think your message about ending this war–by having Putin’s customers who prop up his war machine have to recalculate–is working,” he said.Graham added that India’s actions had more than warranted the tariff relief and expressed hope that other major buyers of Russian oil would take a similar path.“Through their behavior, India has more than earned this reduction. I’m hoping that the other big nations that buy Russian oil will follow India’s direction,” Graham added.Placing the development within a wider geopolitical context, the senator said meaningful negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin would only happen once pressure becomes overwhelming.“Putin will only come to the table when the pain is so great. We’re not there yet, but with India’s actions, we are moving closer. End the bloodbath in Ukraine now,” he said.
Trump’s claims on India-US Trade Deal
Trump said the United States and India had “agreed to a trade deal,” under which Washington would lower the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18% citing “friendship and respect” for PM Modi.In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to a conversation he had with Modi earlier in the day, describing the Indian Prime Minister as one of his closest friends and a strong and widely respected leader. He also asserted that Modi had committed to halting purchases of Russian oil and significantly increasing imports from the United States.Also Read | Lower than Pakistan, China: In trade deal with US, India secures a favourable tariff rateTrump further stated that India would move to ease both tariff and non-tariff restrictions on American products as part of the agreement.“It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week! Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25% to 18%. They will likewise move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO,” Trump’s post read.Separately, a White House official told ANI that the United States will also remove the additional 25% duty placed on Indian imports over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude, stressing that the understanding requires India to fully halt, rather than merely cut back, such imports.Responding to ANI’s query on whether the rollback of tariffs was contingent on a reduction in Russian oil buying, the official said, “Yes, although the agreement is that India will cease, not just reduce, Russian oil purchases.”
