Trump’s Tariff War: India Hit, what for China?

Trump’s Tariffs Hit India Hard, Spare China on Russian Oil

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/20/why-is-the-us-sparing-china-but-not-india-for-importing-russian-oil.

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source:Trump top officials have ramped up pressure on New Delhi to cut off its energy imports from Russia [AFP]

By America News World Staff
August 20, 2025

United States President Donald Trump is shaking things up. He slapped a 50% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. But China, the biggest buyer, gets a pass. Why? Let’s break it down.

First, the facts. India imported 88 million tonnes of Russian oil in 2024. China bought 109 million tonnes, nearly 20% of its energy needs. Both help Russia’s economy. Yet, Trump’s team targets India with hefty tariffs. China faces no such penalties.

Why the difference? For one, Trump needs China’s trade. The US imports tons of goods from China. A trade war now could hurt US shoppers, especially before Christmas. Also, China controls rare earth minerals. These are key for cars, tech, and weapons. The US needs them. So, Trump’s team treads lightly.

However, India’s a different story. Before the Ukraine war, India barely bought Russian oil—less than 1%. Now, it’s 42%. US officials call this “profiteering.” They say India buys cheap Russian oil and sells refined products for profit. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims India made $16 billion extra this way.

Meanwhile, China’s oil imports from Russia grew from 13% to 16%. That’s a smaller jump. US officials see India’s big shift as worse. They argue India’s actions fuel Russia’s war in Ukraine.

But there’s more. A new bill, the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, could hit any country buying Russian oil with 500% tariffs. It’s waiting for Trump’s approval. If passed, both India and China could face trouble. For now, only India feels the heat.

Here’s a quick look at the data:

Country	Russian Oil Imports (2024)	Share of Total Imports	US Tariff Rate
China	109 million tonnes	20%	30%
India	88 million tonnes	36%	50%

Source: Chinese customs data and Kpler, 2025.

And here’s a graph idea. Picture a bar chart. One bar for China, one for India. China’s bar is taller, showing more oil imports. India’s bar is shorter but marked red for high tariffs. It’s simple and works on phones or computers.

This issue matters globally. In Asia, people worry about rising oil prices. Africa faces energy shortages. North America debates trade fairness. South America watches global markets. Europe buys Russian gas too but escapes tariffs. Australia tracks energy costs. Even Antarctica’s scientists note fuel price spikes.

For more details, read this external link: aljazeera