Donald Trump’s close aide and US Finance Secretary Scott Besant has recently claimed that India’s purchases of Russian oil have decreased due to US tariffs. He said that the European Union had refused to impose such a tariff on India because they wanted to make a big deal with New Delhi. Let us tell you that EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen had called the trade deal with India as the mother of all deals.

In an interview given to Politico, the US Treasury Secretary talked about many issues including Greenland and America’s role in the global economy. He said, ‘We imposed 25 percent tariff on India on buying oil from Russia, which resulted in a huge decline in the purchase of Russian oil by Indian refineries. 25 percent tariff on Russian oil is still applicable.’

America can remove 25 percent tariff on India: Besant

During this, Besant also said that Donald Trump administration can also remove these tariffs imposed on India. He said, ‘I think there is definitely a way to remove them, so this is a kind of stop and a big success.’ The US Treasury Secretary also described the European Union as displaying sham morality.

India’s share in Russian oil purchases increased during Ukraine war

US Finance Secretary Scott Besant said that before Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Russia’s share in India’s total oil imports was about 2 to 3 percent. However, after the war this share increased to 18 to 19 percent in Indian refineries.

He said that European countries are buying the same Russian oil from Indian refineries, which he termed as the height of irony and stupidity. He said that in this way Europe is financing the war going on against itself.

EU trade deal with India

Recently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is in the final stages. He termed it the Mother of All Deals and said that it would be an important achievement in deepening relations with the European Union.

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