‘President Trump is disappointed’: US official as India's continues to buy Russian oil despite tariffs

Kevin Hassett's remarks come as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that India will continue to buy oil from Russia as it is cost-effective.

Updated on: Sep 5, 2025, 22:50:23 IST

By HT News Desk

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White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, while talking about the trade ties between India and the United States amid punishing tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, said that the US President and their trade team are “disappointed” in India as it continues to buy oil from Russia.

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett added that he hopes "it's a diplomatic issue that will have positive developments soon" (AFP)

"The trade team and the President are disappointed that India continues to fund Russia's Ukraine war. Hopefully, it's a diplomatic issue that will have positive developments soon," he told news agency ANI.

Hassett's remarks come as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that India will continue to buy oil from Russia as it is cost-effective.

India currently faces a whopping 50 per cent tariff from the United States, half of which is penalty for buying oil from Russia. While the US has claimed that India's purchase of Russian oil is fueling the latter's war in Ukraine, India has repeatedly rejected the claim and has called the US' action “unjustified” and “unfair”.

Also read: India going to be at the table in a month or two 'saying sorry': US Commerce Secretary on trade deal

While talking about the low employment numbers released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, which reveal that the unemployment rate in the United States has touched its highest since 2021 at 4.3 per cent, Hassett said that it was “disappointing” but expressed hope about the American economy's future.

Also read: ‘Chaotic tariffs, failed policies’: Senator lashes out at Trump as unemployment soars

"I expect it's going to revise up. President Trump knows that we're super optimistic about the future of the jobs numbers because we're seeing a massive blowout in capital spending and new factory and construction, something that can happen because of the tax reforms that we had. Capital spending is growing at a rate of just about 8% per cent over the first half of year. It's accelerating to the third quarter, which is why GDP now has a third quarter at about three per cent. And so, like all the indicators that we're seeing are that inflation is low and economic growth is solid," ANI quoted him as saying.

India will ‘undoubtedly be buying’ Russian oil

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, two days after introducing the reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, said on Friday that India will continue to buy oil from Russia despite US tariffs.

"We will have to take a call which (supply source) suits us the best. So we will undoubtedly be buying it,” she said while speaking to CNN-News18.

“Whether it is Russian oil or anything else, it's our decision to buy from the place which suits our needs whether in terms of rates, logistics, anything,” she added.

To soften the blow of US tariffs on Indian exporters, Sitharaman also said that the government is working on a relief package for them and that the new GST reforms will also help in the same.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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