Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Trump, Modi to resolve Russian oil tariff row: Navarro
The United States and India are two big countries that are talking about oil.
India buys oil from Russia, and the United States does not like that because Russia is fighting a war with Ukraine, and the money from selling oil helps Russia keep fighting.
The US Senate passed a new law that would allow very big taxes, called tariffs, of up to 100 percent on goods from countries that keep buying a lot of Russian oil and gas.
India and China are among the biggest buyers of Russian crude oil.
A White House adviser named Peter Navarro wrote an article saying India started heavily trading Russian oil and selling refined products on behalf of Russia after the war began.
Navarro said people from India were very angry at him on the internet after that article.
He says the problem is already solved, but he did not explain how.
Navarro says President Trump and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a very good working relationship and will fix the issue by talking to each other.
The new law does not automatically punish India, so everyone is waiting to see what the two leaders decide.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a "very good working relationship" and will resolve the Russian-oil tariff issue directly between themselves.
The US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on August 7 by an 86-11 vote, authorizing tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from countries among the world's top five buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
Navarro wrote a Financial Times op-ed about 6-8 months ago accusing India of selling refined petroleum products on behalf of Russia that "helped feed the war machine," and said he was "firebombed" online by Indians in response.
Navarro claimed the issue has been resolved and credited his op-ed, without explaining what action was taken, and the legislation does not name India as an automatic tariff target.
The bill also proposes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, financial institutions, energy projects, and older or reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Russia to circumvent restrictions.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro.
- What
- Trump and Modi are expected to resolve differences over India's Russian oil purchases amid the threat of US tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian energy.
- When
- Navarro spoke on Tuesday, August 11, 2026; the US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on August 7, 2026.
- Where
- Washington, DC, at the White House; the dispute involves trade between the United States and India.
- Why
- India's Russian oil purchases expanded after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and US officials say the trade helped finance Moscow's war effort, while discounted crude helped India secure energy supplies amid disruptions including in the Strait of Hormuz.
Administration defends tariff pressure
Doubts and cautions on tariff fallout
Applying tariffs on Russian oil buyers
Administration defends tariff pressure
Navarro argues India became heavily involved in the Russian oil trade after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, says refined-product sales helped finance Russia's war effort, and defends tariffs of up to 100 percent on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
Doubts and cautions on tariff fallout
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 does not name India as an automatic tariff target, and Navarro said the issue "has been resolved" without explaining what action was taken or offering supporting figures.
Economic impact of tariff policy
Administration defends tariff pressure
Navarro says tariffs are bringing onshore both foreign and domestic investment as companies build factories in the US to avoid tariffs, with results visible in construction and manufacturing.
Doubts and cautions on tariff fallout
Navarro acknowledged that Americans continue to face economic hardship because of inflation, and Indian officials maintain their crude imports are driven by national energy security requirements and market considerations.
- Key officials
- US President Donald Trump, Indian PM Narendra Modi, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro
- Trade dispute
- India's Russian oil purchases and the threatened US tariffs of up to 100 percent
- Senate vote
- The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed 86-11 on August 7
- Tariff scope
- Up to 100 percent on imports from the world's top five buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas
- India's status
- Not named as an automatic tariff target; among the world's biggest Russian crude buyers along with China
- Navarro's op-ed
- Published in the Financial Times about 6-8 months ago; followed by online backlash ("firebombed") from India
- Other sanctions targets
- Vladimir Putin, senior political and military officials, financial institutions, energy projects, and older or reflagged oil tankers
- Act namesake
- The late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the bill's principal architects
Sources
Trump, PM Modi Will Resolve '100% Tariff' Issue Over Russian Oil Purchases: US Official
‘I got firebombed by Indians’: Navarro recalls Russian oil tariff backlash, says ‘Trump, Modi will work it out’
'Modi, Trump will work out Russian-oil related 100% tariffs'
Trump-Modi ‘very good working relationship’ to fix Russian oil tariff issue? White House Adviser Navarro drops big hint
Trump, Modi will Resolve Russia Oil Tariff Row: US official
Trump, PM Modi Will Resolve Tariff Issue On Russian Oil Trade: US Official
Prez Trump, PM Modi will settle tariff row: White House adviser Peter Navarro
