China, India in Crosshairs as Trump Threatens Secondary Sanctions for Russia Oil Buyers

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that more penalties are coming for countries buying Russian oil and gas, potentially targeting top customer China, just a day after announcing sweeping new tariffs on India.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said the measures were part of his intensified effort to cripple Russia’s economy over its war in Ukraine.

“You’re going to see a lot more. So this is a taste,” Trump said. “You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions.”

The latest action follows the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, set to take effect Thursday, as punishment for New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian energy. Trump had given Russian President Vladimir Putin a Friday deadline to agree to peace before the economic crackdown.

The move marks a sharp escalation in Trump’s second-term trade strategy, using tariffs not just to protect U.S. manufacturing but also to pressure third-party nations into cutting ties with U.S. adversaries.

Previous rounds of U.S. sanctions  including those under former President Joe Biden weakened Russia’s economy but failed to halt Moscow’s war efforts.

Trump’s “secondary sanctions” threaten penalties on countries and companies that do business with Russia.

While he expressed some optimism after a meeting between Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, Trump made clear that progress was not enough to avoid further punishment.

China is the largest buyer of Russian oil, and U.S. officials say trade talks with Beijing have made significant progress.

Still, Trump refused to rule out imposing sanctions on China.

“One of them could be China,” Trump said. “It may happen. I don’t know. I can’t tell you yet.”

The Chinese embassy in Washington condemned the U.S. approach, saying China “has always been firmly opposed to illegal and unjustifiable unilateral sanctions and so-called long-arm jurisdiction by the U.S.”

“Tariff wars have no winners. Coercion and pressuring will lead nowhere,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

Beijing also noted that its cooperation with Russia is “reasonable and lawful” under international law and does not harm third parties.

The U.S. and China are racing to extend a trade truce that has prevented triple-digit tariffs, set to expire on August 12. Chinese exports surged 7.2% in July ahead of that deadline, outpacing June’s 5.8% growth.

India Defiant Despite Tariffs

Trump’s tariff announcement also targeted India, the world’s fifth-largest economy. In addition to the 25% duty taking effect Thursday, a second 25% tariff is set to be imposed later this month.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his decision to keep importing Russian oil and gas, warning that he may “pay a heavy price” for resisting U.S. demands.

“India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I know I will have to pay a heavy price, but I am ready for it,” Modi said.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs criticized the U.S. move, calling it “extremely unfortunate” and noting that several other countries also buy Russian energy for national interest.

“Our imports are based on market factors and aimed at ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the ministry said in a statement.

Global Trade Tensions Rising

Trump’s threats of secondary sanctions have raised tensions with two of Washington’s most important trading partners, just as global markets face uncertainty over energy prices and supply chains.

With the August 12 trade truce deadline looming, both Beijing and New Delhi are under pressure to either adjust their Russian energy purchases or risk deeper trade conflict with Washington.

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