President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping executive order Tuesday expanding the U.S. government’s economic campaign against Russia — and now its trading partners — by authorizing new 25% tariffs on Indian goods, citing India’s continued importation of Russian oil.
The measure builds on a series of national emergency declarations first launched in 2021 and 2022 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It marks a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to cut off Kremlin revenue, especially as the war in Ukraine grinds into its fourth year.
“The actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” President Trump stated in the order. “After considering additional information from senior officials… I find that the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 continues.”
The most consequential element of the new order is the imposition of an additional 25% ad valorem duty on imports from India — one of the world’s largest consumers of Russian crude.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” the President wrote, explaining that the measure is “necessary and appropriate” to address the ongoing national emergency.
The tariffs will take effect 21 days from the date of the order, on August 27, 2025, and will apply to most Indian goods entering U.S. ports, with narrow exceptions for goods already in transit or exempted under specific trade provisions.
Goods that were loaded onto a vessel and are already en route to the United States before the effective date will not be subject to the new duty if they arrive before September 17, 2025.
Definition of “Indirect Imports” Expanded
The order also expands the scope of what constitutes an “indirect” import of Russian oil, targeting countries and companies that route energy purchases through intermediaries or attempt to obscure the origin of oil products.
“Indirectly importing” includes “purchasing Russian Federation oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Russia,” the text states.
This move puts global trading partners on notice and empowers the U.S. Department of Commerce — in consultation with the Secretaries of State and Treasury — to identify other violators and recommend future actions.
The order delegates expansive authority to federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, to implement the tariffs and adjust policy in response to retaliation or evolving threats.
“Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency… I may further modify this order,” Trump noted.
At the same time, the order warns that retaliatory trade actions by affected countries could prompt further modifications or sanctions.
Though not directly naming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the order’s clear reference to India marks a rare moment of economic confrontation between two traditionally close strategic partners.
The White House emphasized that the move is not directed at India alone but is part of a broader campaign to dismantle financial lifelines that enable Russia’s war machine.
“This is about national security, economic stability, and global accountability,” a senior administration official told reporters under condition of anonymity. “No nation should be underwriting aggression.”
India has yet to formally respond to the order, but analysts expect diplomatic pushback in the coming days.
