Trump’s Trade Czar Brands India ‘Maharaj’ of Tariffs
US accuses India of fueling Russia’s war with oil purchases.
White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro labeled India the "Maharaj" of tariffs, accusing New Delhi of running a "profiteering scheme" by importing Russian oil, which he claims funds Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Speaking outside the White House on August 21, 2025, Navarro confirmed that punitive tariffs of 50% on Indian imports, including a 25% levy tied to Russia’s oil trade, will take effect on August 27 as planned. "I see that taking place," he stated, dismissing India’s need for Russian oil as "nonsense."
Navarro highlighted that India’s oil imports from Russia surged from under 1% before the 2022 Ukraine invasion to 35.1% in 2024-25, making Russia India’s top oil supplier. He argued that India buys discounted Russian crude, refines it, and sells the products at premium prices in Europe, Africa, and Asia, calling it a "laundromat for the Kremlin." According to Moscow-based Kasatkin Consulting, India accounts for 37% of Russia’s oil exports. "The money they get from us, they use to buy Russian oil, which is processed by their refiners," Navarro said, claiming this cycle forces American taxpayers to fund Ukraine’s defense.
India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar pushed back, expressing perplexity at US criticism. During a recent Moscow visit, he noted that Washington had previously urged India to buy Russian oil to stabilize global energy markets. "The Americans said we should do everything to stabilize the world energy markets, including buying oil from Russia," Jaishankar said, defending India’s actions as driven by national interest and market dynamics. India began importing discounted Russian oil after Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022, a move Jaishankar called necessary to ensure affordable energy for Indian consumers.
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Navarro also accused India of "cosying up to" Chinese President Xi Jinping, pointing to recent diplomatic efforts to resolve border disputes with China. This comes as US-India relations sour, with Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, one of the highest rates imposed on any country. Notably, China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, faces no similar penalties, a discrepancy Navarro attributed to existing high tariffs on Chinese goods. "We already have over 50% tariffs on China. We’re mindful not to hurt our own interests," he explained.
The tariffs stem from Trump’s broader strategy to pressure India to halt Russian oil purchases, which the administration views as undermining efforts to isolate Russia’s economy. Navarro warned that India’s actions are "perpetuating the war" rather than fostering peace, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider India’s role in the global economy. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called the tariffs "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," arguing that other nations, including the US and EU, continue trading with Russia without similar repercussions.
The escalating trade war has strained US-India ties, with a planned US trade negotiators’ visit to New Delhi from August 25-29 canceled, dimming hopes for a free trade agreement. Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Modi is set to meet Xi Jinping later this month, signaling a pivot toward stronger ties with China. As the August 27 tariff deadline looms, the controversy underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics, energy, and trade, with India caught between its strategic partnerships and economic priorities.
