The Price of 'Principles' is Always Negotiable
THE CLAIM: Bloomberg, citing an Indian official, reports that the US has agreed to lift a 25% tariff on India for its continued purchases of Russian oil. This move would effectively de-escalate a punitive measure, making Russian crude more attractive to India and signaling a softening of Washington's stance. THE EVIDENCE: While the exact imposition date of this specific 25% tariff on India is not
widely publicized as a direct sanction by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) against India itself, the context is clear. The US and its G7 allies implemented a price cap mechanism on Russian oil in December 2022, aimed at limiting Moscow’s revenue while keeping oil flowing globally. Nations buying above the cap risk losing access to Western maritime services, insurance, and
financing. However, India dramatically ramped up its imports of discounted Russian oil post-invasion, becoming the largest buyer, often processing it and reselling refined products to Europe (Reuters, 2023). This 25% penalty, if an additional tariff as described, represents a direct economic disincentive applied specifically to India, suggesting a targeted pressure point beyond the broader G7
price cap framework. THE CONTRADICTIONS: This reported tariff removal creates a glaring double standard. Since February 2022, the US has spearheaded an aggressive sanctions campaign against Russia, aiming to cripple its economy and deter its actions in Ukraine. These sanctions have been presented as morally imperative, with secondary sanctions threatening entities globally that facilitate Russian