India pays less to Russia than EU, but faces 50% US tariffs: New data highlights Trump's double standards

Exposing the US' double standard, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed that European Union countries have contributed 23% to Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues since the Ukraine war began, while India accounts for 13%, a TOI report stated. G7+ tankers are now responsible for transporting more than half of Russia's oil exports. The findings come amid sharp criticism of India by Western nations, particularly the United States, for continuing energy trade with Moscow.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s Russian oil purchases. The move triggered strong diplomatic protests from New Delhi, which labelled the decision “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

India defends energy security choices

“These figures only vindicate India's emphasis on ensuring its citizens regular and affordable energy supplies,” a government source told TOI, requesting anonymity.


India argued that it is being singled out for actions undertaken by several others, including allies of the US. “The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” said an official statement from the Indian government.

“India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”

President Trump had earlier warned of tariff hikes against India, accusing New Delhi of undermining global efforts to restrict Russia’s energy revenues. With the new executive order, India now faces the highest US tariff burden in the world, tied with Brazil at 50%. Other nations in the upper tariff bracket include Switzerland (39%), Canada and Iraq (35%), and China (30%).

G7+ tankers boost Russian oil flows

According to CREA, the share of G7+ tankers transporting Russian oil rose from 36% in January to 56% by June. "Since Jan, the G7+ share in Russian oil transport has increased from 36% to 56%," the report says. In June alone, over half of Russia’s seaborne oil exports were moved using G7+ tankers—a six percentage point rise over May.

These tankers follow the price cap set by Western sanctions, indicating ongoing trade flows aligned with Western rules, despite political rhetoric.

China remains largest buyer, escapes penalties

While India faces fresh tariffs, China has so far avoided comparable punitive action despite being the biggest importer of Russian energy. In 2024, Russian oil accounted for 21.5% of China’s total crude oil imports, up from 15.5% in the 2018–2021 period. This was driven by smaller independent refiners in China, known as “teapot” refineries, which benefit from discounted Russian crude.

China also increased its Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by 3.3% last year, reaching 8.3 million metric tonnes. Though talks are ongoing for a proposed pipeline to supply Russian gas to China, a deal is yet to be finalised.

EU's ongoing trade with Russia underlines contradictions

The CREA report shows that Russia earned EUR 923 billion from fossil fuel exports since the Ukraine war began. Of this, EU countries paid EUR 212 billion, China over EUR 200 billion, and India EUR 121 billion. The EU has also imported fertilizers, chemicals, iron, steel, and transport equipment from Russia during this period.

Despite the EU’s public stand on cutting ties with Russia, the bloc’s total trade with Russia was still EUR 67.5 billion ($77.9 billion) in 2024. The EU paid Russia $105.6 billion for gas alone since 2022—an amount equal to nearly 75% of Russia’s military spending in 2024.

Imports of Russian LNG by the EU rose 9% in 2024, and Belgium’s Russian LNG purchases increased by 12% in June, reaching EUR 300 million.

India-US trade imbalance adds tension

The tariff hike comes despite strong trade ties between the two countries. The US was India’s largest export destination in 2024, importing $87 billion worth of Indian goods. In contrast, India imported $41 billion worth of US goods, resulting in a $46 billion trade surplus in India’s favour.

Russia backs India, criticises US move

Moscow came out in support of India following the tariff decision. “Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trade partners,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told AFP.

US maintains limited Russia trade

Despite Washington’s strong sanctions posture, US-Russia trade was worth $5.2 billion in 2024. Although lower than the $36 billion recorded in 2021, the US continues to import Russian chemicals and other goods.

According to CREA, "Russian fossil fuel revenues in second quarter of 2025 dropped by 18% year-on-year – lowest in a quarter since the invasion of Ukraine." This decline occurred even though export volumes rose 8% in Q2 compared to Q1 of 2025.