Republican leader and ex-South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump for threatening to impose steep tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil. Taking to X, Haley urged Trump not to “burn a relationship with a strong ally like India,” warning that such moves could weaken US strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
“India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don’t give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India,” Haley wrote.
India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don’t give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) August 5, 2025
Her comments come in the wake of Trump’s recent remarks threatening to “very substantially” increase tariffs on Indian goods within 24 hours, citing New Delhi’s continued crude imports from Moscow.
Haley Defends India, Criticises China Policy
Haley, who served as Trump’s UN envoy during his first term, has consistently championed closer US-India relations and has advocated for deeper partnerships with democratic nations to counter China’s growing influence.
By criticising Trump’s approach, Haley also highlighted what she sees as a double standard in his foreign policy, giving China a tariff reprieve despite it being the largest buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, while penalising India, a key strategic partner.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump claimed that the United States does “little business with India” compared to how much India benefits from trade with the US. He further accused India of reselling Russian oil for profit on global markets, calling it an act of undermining the US position on Ukraine.
Trump’s post on Truth Social said,“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then… selling it on the open market for big profits.”
In response, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp rebuttal, calling Trump’s remarks “politically motivated” and “unjustified.” The MEA emphasised that India’s oil purchases were a strategic necessity, particularly after European markets redirected supplies post-Ukraine invasion. “The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India to help stabilise global energy markets,” the MEA noted.