'Not easy to do': Trump admits 50% tariff on India over Russian oil 'caused a rift'; calls it a 'big deal'

US president Donald Trump on Friday said his decision to impose a 50% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil is “a big deal” that “caused a rift” between the two countries.

Speaking on Fox & Friends, the US President said the move was not taken lightly but was necessary to send a message. “Look, India was their biggest customer. I put a 50 per cent tariff on India because they're buying oil from Russia. That's not an easy thing to do. That's a big deal and it causes a rift with India,” he said.



Trump, who has made confronting Moscow’s energy trade a key part of his foreign policy, insisted he had already taken significant steps against Russia. “But I've already done it. I've done a lot,” he said, adding: “Remember this is a Europe problem, much more than our problem.”

In the same interview, he repeated his claim that his presidency has brought an end to multiple conflicts around the world. “I solved seven wars. I did so many, including Pakistan and India, but big ones, some were unsolvable, Congo and Rwanda. I solved it. It was going on for 31 years, millions of people killed. I solve wars that was unsolvable,” he said.

On August 7, the United States imposed a 25% tariff on India, along with an additional 25% punitive tariff, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. India has strongly rejected the allegation, calling the tariffs "unjustified and unreasonable."

'Not that far apart on a deal'
The tariffs on India come at a sensitive time in US-India relations. Washington’s ambassador-designate to Delhi, Sergio Gor, told senators this week that India’s protectionist policies had created obstacles but emphasised the partnership remained strong. He said President Trump had a “deep friendship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it “incredible” given the tariffs.

Gor also said a trade deal could be close. “We are not that far apart right now on a deal. In fact, they're negotiating the nitty-gritty of a deal,” he explained, suggesting an agreement could be reached within weeks.

Recently, in another attempt to push Western allies to stop their purchases of Russian crude and increase pressure on Vladimir Putin, Trump issued an open letter to Nato members. Yet one detail stood out in the President’s message: India was not mentioned. The omission is striking, given that Trump and his administration, particularly trade representative Peter Navarro, have repeatedly criticised New Delhi over its energy ties with Moscow.“I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all Nato Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all Nato Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote in a letter he shared on Truth social, a platform he owns.

“The purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia”, he further added.