US Threatens Tariffs Over Oil While Still Arming War
The irony is thick enough to drill through. The Washington establishment, from both sides of the aisle, is ready to throw a fit over India purchasing discounted Russian crude—allegedly helping 'fund Moscow’s war effort'. This, from a country that just approved another '$17 billion security assistance package to partners in the Indo-Pacific' in April 2024, ostensibly to 'deter aggression'. One
might wonder if deterring aggression only applies when the profits don't flow through Moscow. Meanwhile, the US military-industrial complex continues to rake in billions globally, with US foreign military sales reaching $238 billion in 2023. These aren’t 'discounted' sales to developing nations, but rather sophisticated, high-margin weaponry. It seems 'funding war efforts' is only a problem when
other countries do it, especially if it cuts into the West's market share. India's audacity to seek affordable energy for its 1.4 billion people, rather than lining the pockets of approved suppliers, is apparently an economic affront worthy of unprecedented tariffs.