US President Trump. Yonhap News. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to impose a 25% additional tariff on India, which imports oil from Russia, by introducing a 'secondary tariff' that targets sanctions against Russia.

The 'secondary tariff' is imposed with punitive intent on products from countries that purchase Russia's crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas from the United States.

On the 6th (local time), President Trump signed an executive order to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian products in response to the Indian government's direct and indirect import of Russian oil.

In the executive order, President Trump stated, "I have become aware that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing oil (including crude oil and various petroleum products) from the Russian Federation," adding, "Therefore, pursuant to applicable law, an additional tariff rate of 25 percent shall apply to articles of India imported into the United States."

President Trump stated that the order will take effect in 21 days.

Earlier, on the 4th, President Trump had warned that tariffs on India would be "significantly increased," pointing to India's large-scale purchases of Russian oil.

As President Trump had previously decided to impose a 25% country-specific tariff (reciprocal tariff) on India starting on the 7th, the tariff rate on India will rise to 50% in three weeks, including this 25% tariff.

This is seen as pressure related to the ongoing trade negotiations with India, which have been facing difficulties, as well as pressure targeting Russia's funding sources, which continues its offensive against Ukraine.

This measure comes shortly after President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with President Vladimir Putin in Russia, leading to speculation that President Putin may not have shown a proactive stance regarding a ceasefire despite the envoy's persuasion.

In his executive order, President Trump did not specify China, another major importer of Russian energy, as a target for the secondary tariff.

However, President Trump directed in the executive order that if the Secretary of Commerce determines that a country is purchasing Russian oil, they shall consult with the Secretaries of other relevant departments and recommend actions to him, including the imposition of an additional 25% tariff. This is interpreted as leaving open the possibility of imposing the secondary tariff on China as well.

Yonhap News