The US was considering imposing tariffs of at least 500 percent on countries buying Russian oil.
Digital Desk, New Delhi. US Finance Minister Scott Besant has made a big claim that India has almost stopped purchasing Russian oil. All this happened because President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on India.
Besant said that India started buying Russian crude oil after the Ukraine war started, but after Trump's tariff, India reduced its purchases significantly and has now almost stopped.
Scott Besant has given this statement in an interview given to Fox News. He presented India as an example of how countries can change their policies due to US pressure. At the same time, he said that America is now preparing to take more stringent measures against other countries.
Trump administration's anti-Russia plan
A proposed bill is being discussed in America. It has been introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham. Under this bill, a tariff of at least 500 percent can be imposed on countries purchasing Russian oil.
Besant said that President Trump does not need Senate approval for such strict action. They can do this under IEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). But the Senate wants to give stronger powers to Trump by passing this bill.
Trump has already given this bill political approval, although it is still under consideration in the Senate. The main target of this law is China. It remains the largest buyer of Russian oil. American officials believe that these purchases from China are providing money to Russia to continue the Ukraine war.
Example of India, but strictness on Europe and China
Besant has said that India came under American pressure. He said Trump's 25 percent tariff took India away from Russian oil. But his most anger is on Europe and China.
He said that four years later, Europe is still buying Russian oil, which is financing a war against itself. He laid maximum emphasis on China. America believes that China is helping Moscow by buying Russian oil at discounted prices.
What is India's argument?
India has always justified its Russian oil purchases. India has been saying that its energy policy is based on the global market situation and providing cheap fuel to its people. After the war, India had increased its purchases due to cheaper Russian oil, because it helped in keeping the prices of petrol and diesel under control.
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