Trump Pauses Russia-Linked Tariff Threat Facing India and China
Image: The White House / Wikimedia Commons
US President Donald Trump has waived key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs that could have hit India and China, days before they were due to take effect. The tariffs, of up to 100 per cent, were aimed at the largest buyers of Russian crude oil and gas, a group that includes India. Trump signed the waiver on Friday night in Washington, The Tribune and Business Today reported.
What the Waiver Does
The tariffs come from the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, often called the Graham Act after its sponsor, Senator Lindsey Graham. The law gave the President 30 days to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from major buyers of Russian crude, including India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Section 115 of the Act allows the President to waive these measures if he certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest of the United States. Trump has submitted that certification. The waiver suspends the tariffs but does not remove them from the law, so they could still be imposed later, Business Today reported.
Textiles, Seafood and Discounted Crude
A tariff of up to 100 per cent would have made Indian goods far costlier in the US, one of India’s largest export markets. Sectors such as textiles, engineering goods, gems and jewellery and seafood employ lakhs of workers, many in small and medium firms that depend on American orders.
India also relies on discounted Russian crude to help keep fuel import costs in check. For now, the waiver removes an immediate threat to both trade with the US and India’s energy supplies, though businesses will be watching whether the pause lasts.
Rubio Visit Next
The waiver comes days before US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India, where he is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai, according to reports. Onmanorama reported that Jaishankar had raised India’s concerns about the Act with Rubio at the UN General Assembly last month. Rubio has described India as an important partner whose energy needs must be considered, reports said.
The outcome of the Mumbai meeting will show whether the two sides can turn the pause into a longer-term understanding on Russian energy purchases. Read more in IPB’s Economy section and our recent report on US work permit rules for Indian families.
Based on reporting by The Tribune, Business Today, Onmanorama and National Herald.
Image: The White House / Wikimedia Commons.
