China and India trump America, trash all sanctions on Russian Oil, import at will
Trump’s “red & blue” face and all the accompanying tantrums could not persuade China and India to stop import of Russian oil. In fact, India increased its import reaching nearly INR 29000 Crores in August 2025, only slightly less than that of China.
The US has announced a 25% supplementary tariff on Indian exports as a penalty for continuing to buy Russian oil, as a threat. India, a Sovereign nation, just ignored such nonsense.
Additionally, the US President Donald Trump has even urged the European Union to enforce tariffs up to 100% on Chinese and Indian products to compel them to limit energy trade with Russia.
By doing this Trump is acting like a person who has lost his mental balance. Will EU be able to face any trade backlash from China and India combined. Even Trump will soon be bending on his knees.
India’s total imports of Russian fossil fuels in August made it the second-largest globally after China. These included crude oil, coal imports and refined petroleum products. China’s portfolio included oil products, coal, and pipeline gas.
Turkey ranked third as a buyer of Russian fossil fuels dominated by pipeline gas, oil products, crude oil, and coal. The EU was fourth with Russian fossil fuel imports, primarily LNG, pipeline gas, and crude oil. South Korea was fifth.
India has outright rejected Trump’s ultimatum, then requests followed by cajollings. Even China has done the same thing. All the while, the EU, and others too continue to import significant amounts of Russian energy. Although the US has not directly sanctioned Russian oil, it has set a price ceiling to regulate imports below a certain value.
The sustained Russian crude imports by India highlight its sovereignty, strategic priorities and assertiveness in energy procurement amidst geopolitical tensions. India cannot be coerced by threats from US tariffs.
India’s importers have rightly benefited from discounted pricing, contributing to refinery profit margins, while the government has declared that its the policy is a matter of national interest.
This import trend occurs against the backdrop of broader global energy trade shifts, with China leading Russian crude and coal imports and Turkey as a major importer of Russian oil products and gas.
The US continues its futile diplomatic and economic efforts to “isolate” Russia economically but faces total failure due to key energy buyers like India and China who balance economic and strategic imperatives.
