US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused China and India of being the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war by continuing to buy Russian oil, as he addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The Trump administration has slapped an additional 25% tariff on India for its Russian oil purchases, taking the total US levies on New Delhi to 50%—among the steepest imposed on any country.
“China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump said during his hour-long speech at the General Debate, as reported by PTI.
India has rejected the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” asserting that, like any major economy, it would take all measures necessary to safeguard its national interest and economic security.
Trump also criticised NATO countries for failing to cut their reliance on Russian energy. “They’re funding the war against themselves. Who has ever heard of that?” he said, adding that if Russia refused to negotiate peace, the US was ready to enforce a fresh round of “very strong tariffs” to end the conflict.
For such measures to work, Trump urged European nations to adopt the same approach. “You’re right there; we have an ocean in between. Europe has to step it up. They can’t be doing what they’re doing—buying oil and gas from Russia while fighting Russia. It’s embarrassing,” he remarked.
Calling for an immediate halt to European energy imports from Moscow, Trump said he would raise the matter with EU leaders during the General Assembly. “Sure, they’re thrilled to hear me speak about it, but that’s the truth. I like to speak my mind,” he added.
