Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has delivered a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, criticizing his threats to impose revised tariffs on India. Peskov stated that such pressures are “illegal” and that every country has the right to choose its own trading partners. The statement signals Russia’s support for India as it navigates increasing US pressure over its purchase of Russian oil.
The Russian condemnation came a day after Trump warned that he would “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian goods. Trump’s reasoning, shared on social media, was that India was buying “massive amounts of Russian Oil” and reselling it for a profit, a practice he claimed showed indifference to the Ukraine conflict. The US had already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods effective August 1, citing New Delhi’s “highest in the world” tariffs on American goods.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded to Trump’s latest threat with a “strong-worded statement.” It accused the US and European Union of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting. The statement made it clear that New Delhi would take “all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” a firm rejection of the US demands.
The episode reveals the deep fractures in international relations, where economic decisions are heavily scrutinized through a geopolitical lens. With Russia publicly backing India, the two nations are presenting a united front against what they view as coercive trade tactics from the US. The situation is a clear example of countries pushing back against attempts to force them into a specific geopolitical alignment.