'Important to Make Me Happy': Trump Says US Can Raise Tariffs on India 'Very Quickly'

Talking to reporters on January 4, aboard Air Force One en route Washington D.C. from Florida, Trump spoke of India's purchases of Russian oil.

The Wire Staff

Talking to reporters on January 4, aboard Air Force One en route Washington D.C. from Florida, Trump spoke of India's purchases of Russian oil.

important to make me happy trump says us can raise tariffs on india very quickly

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, as returning to Joint Base Andrews. Photo: AP/PTI.

New Delhi: US president Donald Trump has threatened India with the prospect of raising tariffs "very quickly," saying that prime minister Narendra Modi knew that it was "important to make" Trump happy.

Talking to reporters on January 4, aboard Air Force One en route Washington D.C. from Florida, Trump spoke of India's purchases of Russian oil. The Trump administration has levied a 25% "penalty" on Indian exports to the US, citing India's trade in Russian crude during the course of the Ukraine-Russia war. This is over the 25% tariffs that were already imposed on India since August last year. There has been no bilateral trade agreement yet.

"They [India] wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy," Trump said.

Not only has the Trump administration not reduced the 50% tariff rate, Trump then added that the US is in a position to raise tariffs on India as well. "They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them," Trump said.

On the same flight, US Senator Lindsey Graham said that the Indian ambassador had claimed that India was buying less Russian oil.

"I was at the Indian Ambassador's house a month ago and all he wanted to talk about was how India is buying less Russian oil. And he asked me to tell the President to relieve the 25% tariff," Graham said.

Meanwhile, The Hindu has reported, citing government data, on how India's Russian oil imports rose to a six-month high in terms of volume and value in November 2025, with its share in India's overall oil imports rising to 35%.

India has also increased its purchase of American oil – which saw a seven-month high in November, accounting for nearly 13% of India's oil imports that month.

Russia and the US made up nearly half of India's oil imports in November 2025.

This article went live on January fifth, two thousand twenty six, at forty-six minutes past ten in the morning.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.