Congress targets Centre over Trump’s tariff threat

The Congress on Monday criticised the Union government after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could raise tariffs on Indian imports “very quickly”, remarking that public displays of bonhomie with the American leader had yielded little diplomatic dividend.

Reacting to Mr. Trump’s comments, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s personal rapport with the U.S. President had not prevented repeated trade threats. “The PM’s good friend in the White House continues his ‘blow hot, blow cold’ approach to India. He has yet again threatened higher tariffs on U.S. imports from India if India did not stop buying oil from Russia,” Mr Ramesh said in a post on X.

“All those Namaste Trump, Howdy Modi events, all those [forced] hugs, and all those social media posts hailing the U.S. President have done very little good,” he added.

Mr. Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (January 4, 2026) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of his dissatisfaction with India’s purchase of Russian oil and that the U.S. could impose higher tariffs if such imports continued. “They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them,” Mr. Trump said, while also describing Mr. Modi as “a very good man”.

The U.S. President’s remarks came in the presence of Senator Lindsey Graham, who has proposed legislation seeking to impose steep tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil.

Mr. Graham said the tariffs imposed by the U.S. were the “chief reason” India had reduced its purchases of Russian crude.

Mr. Graham has argued that stronger economic measures are required to force an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including penalties on countries that continue trade with Moscow. He said pressure must be applied to Russia’s energy customers to weaken President Vladimir Putin’s position.

Mr. Trump said U.S. sanctions were already hurting Russia “very badly” and again cited India while discussing the impact of trade restrictions. Mr. Graham subsequently referred to a 25% tariff imposed on India for its purchase of Russian oil.

India has maintained that its energy imports are guided by national interest and that it complies with international sanctions regimes. The government has not yet issued a response to Mr. Trump’s latest remarks.