Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has strongly criticised the United States over tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump that have impacted several countries. The countries which will face tariffs in the range of 10 to 41 per cent, starting August 7. Zakharova has accused the government of “pursuing a neocolonial agenda” and interfering in the “internal affairs” of the nations. She further added that these sanctions or tariffs “cannot halt the natural course of history”.
Her remarks came in response to a question regarding Russia’s view on Washington raising tariff barriers against key foreign policy partners in the Global South.
“Sanctions and restrictions have unfortunately become a defining feature of the current historical period, impacting countries across the globe,” she said, before adding, “Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage,” she said in a statement.
She also pointed out that the US, which once championed “free trade”, is now the one imposing tariffs on countries across the globe, including 68 nations and the European Union.
She added, “…we now witness politically driven protectionism and the arbitrary imposition of tariff barriers. Brazil, our strategic partner in Latin America and the Caribbean, is one of the main victims of this policy.”
Zakharova further said that the tariffs also “risk slowing global economic growth” by “disrupting supply chains, and deepening the fragmentation of the international economic system”.
“We firmly believe that no tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history,” she said in a bold statement, adding that Russia has the support of many “like-minded states” and BRICS nations.
She also said that Russia stands “ready” to deepen cooperation with nations and allies that align with Russia to tackle the “unlawful unilateral sanctions” for a “just” and “equitable” international order.
India’s statement on oil trade with Russia
The statement, which was shared on Telegram, came after India slammed the US on tariffs over oil trade from Russia. “India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict,” MEA said in a statement, adding that India started importing oil from Russia because the suppliers redirected the oil to Europe, and at the time, the US has encouraged such imports by India.
The MEA also stated that India’s oil imports from Russia ensure affordable prices to Indians, adding that both the US and the EU also do business with Russia and that for them, the trade’s nature is not a “vital national compulsion”.
Last year, the EU traded €67.5 billion worth of goods with Russia and in 2023, its trade with Russia was valued at €17.2 billion, the statement noted.
“This is significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024, in fact, reached a record 16.5mn tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21mn tonnes in 2022,” the six-pointer statement further revealed.
The statement, which was shared by Randhir Jaiswal, further highlighted that Europe-Russia trade doesn’t solely include energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment. The US, it said, imports uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals from Russia.
“In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”
‘India is making big profits’: Trump
The MEA’s statement comes after Trump alleged that India is making “big profits” by buying oil from Russia and later selling it in the open market.
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”