President Trump announced on Wednesday that he would double tariffs on India, to 50 percent, beginning this month as punishment for the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Mr. Trump coupled the new, punishing tariff level with a threat to impose similar penalties on other countries that buy Russian energy as he sought to use trade policies to pressure the Kremlin into resolving the war in Ukraine.
Under a new executive order, India would face a 25 percent tariff starting on Aug. 27 if it continues to buy oil from Russia. That would be in addition to a 25 percent duty that Mr. Trump announced last week, citing unfair trade barriers, which he plans to implement beginning Thursday.
Previewing his actions, Mr. Trump faulted the Indian government this week on social media for buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and selling it on the open market, saying, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”
Mr. Trump also laid the groundwork on Wednesday to impose similar 25 percent tariffs on other countries that purchase Russian energy. His executive order directed administration officials to “determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” and then report on whether they should face steep duties or other punishments.
China is the largest purchaser of Russian oil and other energy products. Turkey is also a big buyer.
Indian officials did not offer an immediate response to Mr. Trump’s executive over. But they signaled over the weekend that they did not intend to stop purchasing Russian oil.
Tony Romm is a reporter covering economic policy and the Trump administration for The Times, based in Washington.
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