100% Tariff on India: Stephen Miller Warns
100% Tariff on India: Stephen Miller Warns that the U.S. is prepared to impose steep duties on imports from India unless New Delhi stops purchasing Russian oil—an accusation he says effectively means financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Video of Stephen Miller’s Statements
Background & Context
- Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff under Donald Trump and key advisor, used Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures to deliver a sharp rebuke of India’s energy policy. He claimed that India’s purchases of Russian oil amount to effectively financing the Russian war in Ukraine YouTube7YouTube7YouTube7YouTube3YouTube3YouTube3.
- Miller emphasized, “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia” Reuterscaliber.az.
🇮🇳 India’s Role in Russian Oil Imports
- According to Miller, India is now on par with China in terms of Russian oil imports—a “startling fact” that underlines the scale of India’s involvement Reuterscaliber.az.
- India’s share of Russian crude imports rose to around 1.75 million barrels per day in early 2025, making Russia its largest oil supplier. While state-owned refiners paused purchases briefly in July, long-term contracts and resumption by private firms sustained imports caliber.az.
U.S. Trade Actions & Escalation
- On August 1, the U.S. implemented a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s continued acquisition of Russian energy and military equipment Reutersindianexpress.com.
- Miller warned of an escalation: 100% tariffs on Indian imports remain an option if India does not curb its oil purchases from Russia unless a peace agreement is reached in Ukraine Reuterscaliber.az.
India’s Response
- Indian government sources confirmed that New Delhi intends to continue buying Russian oil, despite mounting U.S. pressure and tariff threats Reutersndtv.com.
- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India-Russia relations are “steady and time-tested,” and energy procurement will be based on commercial viability and market conditions—not external pressures timesofindia.indiatimes.comnewindianexpress.com.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a defiant tone, stating India will prioritize products made by Indian effort over external demands ndtv.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Analysis: Strategic Implications
- Strategic leverage: Miller’s public statement signals a shift in U.S. pressure tactics, combining trade instruments with diplomatic warnings.
- Trade diplomacy: These measures aim to force India to distance itself from Russia unless Moscow agrees to cease hostilities. It reflects Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy and willingness to challenge key partners more aggressively timesofindia.indiatimes.comen.wikipedia.org.
- Economic fallout: Critics argue that 100% tariffs could devastate Indian exporters—affecting apparel, pharmaceuticals, autos, and more. Analysts estimate that such measures could impact 87% of India’s exports to the U.S., worth around $66 billion annually en.wikipedia.orgtimesofindia.indiatimes.com.
What Happens Next?
| Key Issue | Potential Developments |
|---|---|
| U.S.-India Trade | Bilateral talks may resume; India expected to resist opening sensitive sectors like agriculture. |
| India’s Energy Policy | Continued imports unless pricing or sanctions regimes shift; India insists on sovereign choice. |
| Multilateral Pressure | U.S. may push allies and global forums to join in pressuring Moscow and reducing energy dependence. |
| U.S. Reciprocity Policy | Further trade barriers may extend to other sectors or countries tied to Russia. |
U.S. trade officials are reportedly planning negotiations with India later in August. However, Indian negotiators have warned that alignments on dairy and agriculture remain unlikely without tariff relief timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Conclusion
100% Tariff on India: Stephen Miller Warns highlights a bold U.S. approach to counter India’s energy ties with Russia. Framing India as “financing” the Russian war sets a high-stakes backdrop for trade confrontation. With tariffs already imposed and more on the table, India faces diplomatic and economic headwinds but continues to assert energy autonomy. The unfolding standoff underscores the evolving complexities of geopolitics and global energy interdependence.