- President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue arising out of the threat of US tariffs on India's purchase of Russian oil, a senior White House advisor said on Tuesday.
- The remarks by White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose 100 per cent tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil, contending that such business directly financed the Ukraine war.
- Navarro stated that the relationship between Trump and Modi would be central to resolving the issue, emphasizing their very good working relationship.
- Navarro referenced his Financial Times op-ed, stating, "Maybe, I had a little bit to do with that with that op-ed," and mentioned he received significant backlash online.
White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro expressed confidence that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi will address the looming threat of 100% tariffs on India's purchases of Russian oil. This statement follows the Senate's passage of a bill aimed at imposing such tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil, including India and China.2345
Navarro highlighted the strong working relationship between Trump and Modi, stating, “They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it's not for me to get between that.” He noted that prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but has since increased its purchases significantly, which he claims has contributed to the war effort.
The Lindsey Graham Bill, which passed with an 86-11 bipartisan vote, allows for tariffs on major Russian oil buyers and includes provisions for mandatory sanctions against senior Russian officials. However, it also offers exemptions for countries that account for less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and are actively reducing their dependence on Russian energy.
Navarro's comments come amid concerns about the potential impact of the legislation on India's economy and its relationship with the US. He remarked on the backlash he received from India following an op-ed he wrote, stating, “Maybe I had a little bit to do with that with that op-ed, but I can tell you, I got actually firebombed by the Indian continent on the internet.”
“The Russia Sanctions Bill, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, cleared the Senate 86-11 and targets the top five buyers of Russian oil, including India and China. It still needs House approval, and the tariff rate would be set by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.”
