Trump threatens India & other Venezuelan oil importers with new 25% tariff

Even as reciprocal tariff threat by US President Donald Trump already looms over India, the Republican leader on Monday further announced that America will impose a 25 per cent secondary tariff on countries that purchase oil and gas from Venezuela.

The tariff, which will come into effect on April 2, 2025, aims to penalize Venezuela for allegedly sending criminals and violent gang members to the U.S., including members of the Tren de Aragua, which has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Trump's latest move might impact India and companies like Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited, which recently resumed crude oil imports from Venezuela after the US eased sanctions on the Latin American country in late 2023.


In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Venezuela of acting "purposefully and deceitfully" by sending criminals to the U.S. and being hostile to American freedoms.

"The United States of America will be putting what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela, for numerous reasons, including the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature. Among the gangs they sent to the United States, is Tren de Aragua, which has been given the designation of 'Foreign Terrorist Organization.' We are in the process of returning them to Venezuela — It is a big task!" he said.

To counter Venezuela’s actions, Trump stated that any country purchasing Venezuelan oil or gas will be subject to a 25% tariff on trade with the U.S.

"Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country. All documentation will be signed and registered, and the Tariff will take place on April 2nd, 2025, LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA."