‘Modi Not Happy With Me’: Trump’s Fresh Remark Amid 50% Tariffs on India

The issue of steep US tariffs on Indian goods has returned to the spotlight in recent days, following a series of remarks by US President Donald Trump that combined fresh warnings of higher duties with claims of improving ties with India and reduced Indian purchases of Russian oil.

Trump’s latest comments came on Tuesday, when he spoke about India-US trade ties while addressing a House GOP members’ retreat in Washington DC. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said, “I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me because they’re paying a lot of tariffs now. But now they have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia.”

The United States has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s significant imports of Russian crude — a practice Washington says indirectly supports Russia’s economy amid the Ukraine war.

Trump’s remarks followed his earlier claim that India had contacted him over delays in the delivery of Apache attack helicopters. Recalling a conversation with Modi, Trump said, “Prime Minister Modi came to see me — ‘Sir, may I see you please?’ Yes. We’re changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches.”

Warning of further tariffs

Trump has repeatedly warned that Washington could raise tariffs further if India does not address US concerns over Russian oil imports.

“Modi is a very good guy and he knew I was not happy. And it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we could raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One earlier this week.

His comments echoed remarks by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who credited Trump’s tariff pressure for India’s reported reduction in Russian energy purchases. Graham said India’s envoy to Washington had indicated that New Delhi was buying less Russian oil and was seeking relief from US tariffs.

Graham, a vocal advocate of tough measures against countries importing Russian energy, has pushed for tariffs as high as 500% on nations that continue to purchase Russian oil. “If you are buying cheap Russian oil, you keep Putin’s war machine going,” he said.

Defending his broader tariff policy, Trump said the measures were financially beneficial for the United States. “We are getting rich because of the tariffs. I hope everyone understands that,” he said.

India’s oil imports

Data from India’s Commerce Ministry shows that Indian imports of Russian oil rose to $3.72 billion in November, though analytics firm Kpler indicated a decline in December. At the same time, India’s oil purchases from the United States increased to $1.44 billion in November.

The rise aligns with India’s earlier commitment to boost energy imports from the US from $15 billion to $25 billion. In November, Indian public sector oil companies also signed a one-year agreement with US energy firms to import 2.2 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, accounting for about 10% of India’s total LPG imports.

Trump’s latest remarks underline how energy purchases, tariffs and strategic ties are becoming increasingly intertwined in India-US relations as Washington seeks to curb global demand for Russian oil.