Posted on 08/06/2025 6:50:53 AM PDT by delta7
Economic warfare is dismantling free trade and turning friends into foes. This has nothing to do with trade tariffs, as the issue is the tariffs we are placing on nations for the sole purpose of political policy. The US is threatening India with sanctions if it continues to purchase Russian oil, and the Kremlin is using that to its advantage.
“We believe that sovereign countries should have, and have the right to choose their own trade partners, partners in trade and economic cooperation. And to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country,” Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated.
Around 35% to 40% of India’s crude oil now comes from Russia as the nation began drastically increasing its purchases when the Ukraine-Russia-NATO war began, since Russian crude was cheaper than what the Middle Eastern nations were charging. India has heavily profited from this deal, but the US would have done the exact same thing if it were in India’s position. The Trump Administration believes free trade is only free and fair if it directly benefits the United States.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) commented. “It is noteworthy that those nations criticizing India are themselves engaging in trade with Russia.
In contrast to our situation, their trade does not constitute a critical national necessity.” The MEA also noted that the US and its allies reached out to India to purchase oil amid shortages that they themselves created. There is a clear double standard here that is making America look a bit foolish.
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” Donald Trump stated online, openly stating that these new tariffs are intended to shape India’s trade policy. Furthermore, Trump said India was “not a good trade partner” and dismissed the billions in trade between the two.
This arrogant stance is pushing India out of neutrality and into the arms of the Kremlin. There is nothing diplomatic about calling your trade partner worthless on the public stage and then bullying them with sanctions into changing their foreign policy.
Trump has also been threatening economic warfare against nations that oppose Israel. I do not know who is currently surrounding Trump and permitting him to carry out these disastrous policies. Let us not forget that India is also a nuclear superpower—we do not want to turn India into an enemy nation.
“we won’t touch on the West stealing Russia’s sovereign wealth fund”
LOL! Putin spent it to pay for his two week war!
This is a big problem if India decides to use its leverage on this:
India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals, particularly generic drugs, to the United States.
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Very big consequences. That said, I buy my Ivermectin from India, less than one dollar apiece. Here in America, you need a prescription ( doctor visit $$$) and it is over $3 plus.
That said, the state next door passed the no prescription needed law on Ivermectin. It is now gaining popularity in helping the body to rid itself of those dangerous and deadly mRNA jabs and spike proteins.
Americans are being scammed.
“That said, the state next door”
Are you referring to Alabama?
It is dumb to push India closer to Russia.
“It is dumb to push India closer to Russia”
Russia is not a market for India.
Russia GDP $2 trillion
USA GDP $29 trillion
“Russia is not a market for India.”
India IS a market for Russia;
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Crude Oil: India has significantly increased its imports of Russian crude oil, especially after the start of the war in Ukraine, due to discounted prices offered by Russia.
Machinery and Equipment: India also imports electrical machinery, nuclear reactors, and other mechanical appliances from Russia.
Pharmaceutical Products: Russia is also a source of pharmaceutical products for India.
Iron and Steel: India imports iron and steel from Russia.
Military: Over the past five years, Russia has supplied India with approximately $13 billion worth of arms and military equipment. India also has outstanding orders with Russia for weapons and equipment exceeding $10 billion. This makes India the largest buyer of Russian arms, accounting for roughly 20% of Russia’s current arms export order book, according to The Economic Times.
Pushing India to keep up its economic closeness (historic) with Russia is not a good strategy. Tariffs will only harden Indian nationalism.
Better to make a deal with India on how we and others will make up for their Russian oil imports on a scheduled basis over the next two years.
“India IS a market for Russia;”
All the more reason to raise our tariffs on them.
China is a similar market for Russia; where’s the higher tariffs on China for that? Nowhere, that’s where.
Singling out India for “sins” no worse that others, while you ignore the others, is obvious duplicity, not good diplomacy.
“China is a similar market for Russia; where’s the higher tariffs on China for that? Nowhere, that’s where.”
We have had higher tariffs on China since Trump’s first term. Now at 30%.
But the 25% tariff on India is an ADDITIONAL tariff, on top of whatever tariff(s) we have already imposed, and that additional tariff is just because India buys Russian oil.
But China is buying about the same amount of oil per day from Russia as is India - but no additional Trump tariff on China for that.
It’s a mistake. India sees the duplicity; in fact so does all of Asia. Not good.
Re-sell to whom exactly? The buyers are Europe and to a lesser extent, the US. The restrictions on Russian oil was formulated to deliberately allow for Russian oil to be processed in refineries with other oil, at which time it would be no longer considered as Russian. These loopholes weren't inserted by India, they were inserted by the US and Europe. India refineries have been selling to Europe and other places for years, it is just that they handle Russian oil now. A lot of the older refineries cannot handle Russian oil, which is why those countries buy from India. Turkey has been doing it too.
“But the 25% tariff on India is an ADDITIONAL tariff, on top of whatever tariff(s) we have already imposed, and that additional tariff is just because India buys Russian oil.”
India essentially imported to us duty free. We have had high tariffs on China for years.
“India essentially imported to us duty free. “
Not true. That ended in 2019.
“Not true. That ended in 2019.”
True. In 2024, tariffs were 2.4%.
Can you find the source for that?
Is Delta, Armgsrtrong?
“Is Delta, Armgsrtrong?”
His response to my post:
8/5/2025, 12:29:53 PM · 30 of 30
delta7 to TexasGator
“Deny that you ARE Armstrong ...”
————
You are a crackpot.
That’s not “a source” - it just says, “here, go fish”.
I don’t jump to conclusions, because they are always accusing everyone else. Like when they say I’m working for a major defense contractor, or I’m being paid by God knows who.
I do know that Armstrong is an awful person.
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