China Backs India Against US Tariffs Over Russian Oil Imports

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, including a specific 25% penalty targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil, a move that has drawn strong criticism from China and India. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the use of tariffs as a violation of the UN Charter and WTO rules, with China backing India’s pushback against the unilateral tariffs and emphasizing India's sovereignty and foreign policy independence. India, which has historically balanced its relationships between the US and China, faces increased strain in its ties with the US, especially as China remains exempt from similar punitive measures despite being Russia’s largest buyer of crude oil. Analysts suggest Trump’s tariffs on India are part of a strategic effort to pressure India, a geopolitical rival of China, while simultaneously seeking rapprochement with Beijing. The tariffs risk pushing India closer to China and complicate US efforts to isolate Russia economically amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Indian leaders and commentators have criticized the US for its perceived double standards, highlighting past US statements supporting India’s Russian oil imports and the contrasting treatment of China.