U.S. Threatens 500% Tariffs on Russian Oil While Trump’s Close Ally Fires Shots at India

In the corridors of the White House, a new, almost jaw‑dropping proposal is gaining traction: slap a 500 % tariff on every barrel of Russian oil that crosses U.S. ports. It sounds like a headline pulled straight from a satire site, yet senior officials say the idea is being taken seriously as part of a broader strategy to choke Moscow’s war chest.

The logic is simple, if blunt. By making Russian crude astronomically expensive for American refiners, the administration hopes to cut a crucial revenue stream for the Kremlin. Critics, however, warn that such a drastic measure could ripple through global markets, driving up gasoline prices not just at the pump but also for consumers overseas.

Behind the scenes, the proposal is still tentative. Lawmakers would need to draft legislation, and the Treasury Department would have to work out the mechanics of collecting a tariff that high. Still, the very fact that the number 500 % is being floated shows how far Washington is willing to go in its attempt to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

While the United States wrestles with how to handle Russian energy, another, less conventional front of geopolitical sparring is heating up: a former Trump aide, often seen as a loyalist in the former president’s inner circle, has been repeatedly taking aim at India.

Speaking at a series of think‑tank events and in private briefings, the aide – whose name has become almost synonymous with the more hard‑line, “America‑first” rhetoric of the Trump era – has accused New Delhi of engaging in unfair trade practices, subsidising its own industries, and undermining U.S. manufacturers. The criticism is not new, but the tone has grown sharper, suggesting a possible push to sway U.S. policy toward a tougher stance on Indian imports.

India, for its part, has brushed off the remarks, calling them “misguided” and emphasizing the strong strategic partnership the two democracies share, especially in the context of counter‑balancing China’s rise. Yet the repeated public jabs have stirred unease among Indian business circles, which fear that lingering political friction could translate into concrete trade barriers.

Both storylines – the massive tariff on Russian oil and the persistent attacks on India – illustrate a broader shift in U.S. foreign‑economic policy. Where once Washington leaned on multilateral institutions to address disputes, it now seems more inclined to wield unilateral tools, be they soaring tariffs or outspoken criticism.

Whether the 500 % duty ever becomes law, and whether the Trump‑era adviser’s comments will translate into actual policy changes toward India, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the United States is signaling a willingness to use economic weapons more aggressively than it has in recent memory.