E-Paper
‘Trump, Modi have good working relations; will work it out’: US official amid 100% tariff threat
The Lindsey Graham Bill passed by the US Senate can levy tariffs on top five countries that purchase Russian crude, which includes India and China.
Responding to a question on potential US tariffs against India under the Lindsey Graham Bill, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump would “work it out.”
“…The President and your Prime Minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it's not for me to get between that...,” Navarro told ANI news agency, in response to a question on the Russia Sanctions Bill supported by Trump, which could levy upto 100 per cent tariffs on India.
The Bill, which carries the name of late Senator Lindsey Graham, can impose tariffs on the top five countries that purchase Russian crude oil and natural gas, which includes India and China.
Navarro reiterated his stance on the matter, saying, “With respect to your question, the president and your Prime Minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it's not for me or any gaggle to get between that.”
Also Read | India, China ‘main culprits’, key targets of Russia sanctions bill: US senator
‘Got firebombed by Indians on Russian oil remarks’: Navarro
Navarro, while answering the question, recalled an op-ed that he wrote which was published in the Financial Times, saying he was “firebombed” on the internet.
“During the Ukraine-Russia war, 6-8 months ago, I think I wrote wrote an op-ed in the Financial Times, which absolutely factually correctly pointed out that prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved and was selling a lot of refined products on behalf of Russia, which helped feed the war machine,” Navarro said.
He said that the “issue” had been resolved, adding, “Maybe I had a little bit to do with that with that op-ed, but I can tell you, I got actually firebombed by the Indian continent on the internet.” The White House trade adviser said that was “not how we resolve problems in America", while adding, “Don't do that.”
What is the Lindsey Graham Bill?
The Bill, also known as the Russia Sanctions Bill, was passed last week through the Senate on bipartisan vote, 86 to 11. However, it needs a vote in the US House of Representatives before it can become a law.
Apart from countries purchasing Russia's crude and natural gas, it can also place mandatory sanctions on top figures in the Russian government, including President Vladimir Putin, and foreign companies supporting Russia's defence industrial base, according to a CNN report.
The final tariff level on the top five countries purchasing from Russia would be determined by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. However, the Bill allows an exemption for countries that import less than 15% of Russia’s total natural gas exports and are working to significantly lower their use of Russian natural gas.
The passage of the Bill came days after late Senator Graham passed away. He had announced, the day before he died, that the administration and the bill’s key Senate backers had finally reached a deal on the package. The Senate took its first procedural vote on the package in the hours after Graham’s DC funeral, CNN reported
