Trump’s Trade Advisor Targets India Over Russian Oil: ‘Maharaj in Tariff’ Remark

‘Maharaj in Tariff’: India is the “Maharaja” of tariffs, said US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, and accused New Delhi of running a “profiteering scheme” by importing Russian oil and said he expects 50% tariffs on Indian imports to take place as scheduled next week.

“I see that happening,” Navarro told reporters outside the White House when asked about the 25% tariffs on India that are set to kick in on August 27.

"Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India virtually bought no Russian oil...It was like almost one per cent of their need. The percentage has now gone up to 35 per cent...They don't need the oil. It's a refining profit-sharing scheme. It's a laundromat for the Kremlin. That's the reality of that," Navarro said.

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He backed the same argument later saying India’s oil trade with Russia is "a refining profiteering scheme. It's a laundromat for the Kremlin." However, the White House official added: “I love India. Modi is a great leader, but please, India, look at your role in the global economy. What you're doing right now is not creating peace. It's perpetuating the war.”

Navarro’s comments come days before Trump’s 50% tariff deadline for India. Last month Trump announced 25% tariffs on Indian imports, which he later threatened to double to 50%. Half of those tariffs went into effect earlier this month and the other half will go into effect on August 27.

"In India, 25% tariffs were put in place because they cheat us on trade. Then 25% because of the Russian oil... They have higher tariffs, Maharaja tariffs...," Navarro said, there’s a huge trade deficit between India and the US which hurts American businesses.

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Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been saying that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics. India started buying Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 2022.

So from 1.7% share in total oil imports in 2019-20, Russia’s share increased to 35.1% in 2024-25 and now it’s the biggest oil supplier to India.

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