Trump may support Russia-partner sanctions, India possibly included.
Trump says Russia’s partners, especially energy buyers, fuel war.
Trump believes Russia’s trading partners, especially nations relying on its energy, are indirectly helping fuel the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As the war in Ukraine enters yet another tense phase, the global political landscape continues to shift around it. In this backdrop, US President Donald Trump has made a strong and controversial statement: he is open to supporting a new bill that would impose strict sanctions on countries doing business with Russia. The message, delivered to reporters on Sunday before he departed from Florida, signals a significant hardening of Washington’s stance—not just toward Moscow but toward several of Russia’s key global partners.
According to Trump, Russia’s trading partners are partly responsible for prolonging the war in Ukraine, especially those that rely heavily on Russian energy. In his view, the money that flows into Russia through international trade ultimately strengthens Moscow’s ability to continue the conflict. economic channels that indirectly support Russia’s war machinery.
What has raised eyebrows across global diplomatic circles is that this new list of potential targets includes some of the world’s largest economies—most notably India and China. Trump has repeatedly voiced concern about both nations’ continued engagement with Russia, calling them “primary funders” of the war due to their purchase of Russian oil and other commodities. While the US has often criticized China for its economic links with Moscow, India’s position is more complicated. New Delhi has maintained a longstanding relationship with Russia, based on energy security, defence cooperation, and historical ties.
Although the US President had earlier threatened penalties for China, concrete action has been minimal. India, however, has faced immediate consequences. In August, Trump imposed a 25 percent “penalty” tariff on India for allegedly “fuelling the war in Ukraine,” effectively doubling the total tariff rate to 50 percent on certain Indian goods entering the US market. The move strained bilateral trade dynamics and hit several Indian exporters hard.
Yet, even as Washington takes a stricter line, Trump made a surprising adjustment last Friday by removing tariffs on more than 20 food products—including beef—to ease growing consumer frustration in the US over escalating grocery prices. This decision has come as a small relief to Indian exporters, particularly those dealing in tea, coffee, spices, and cashew nuts. These industries had been disproportionately affected when Trump raised tariffs earlier, especially compared to exporters from the EU and Vietnam, who were not impacted to the same extent.
Meanwhile, India continues to strengthen its economic ties with Russia despite international pressure. On Sunday, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to boosting bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, highlighting ongoing negotiations related to the India–Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement in goods. This step signals that India is not prepared to scale back its engagement with Russia, viewing the relationship as essential for its strategic and economic interests.
As Trump weighs further sanctions and tariffs, the global community is watching closely. The decisions made in Washington over the coming weeks could reshape international trade routes, geopolitical alliances, and the economic realities of countries caught between competing global powers. For now, the message from the White House is clear: countries that sustain Russia economically may soon face consequences—and the implications will be felt far beyond Moscow and Kyiv.