US President Donald Trump has imposed extra tariffs on India for importing Russian oil but spared China, even though Beijing remains Moscow’s biggest energy customer. In 2024, China bought 109 million tonnes of Russian crude compared to India’s 88 million tonnes. Yet, India’s reliance surged from under 1 percent before the Ukraine war to 42 percent, prompting US officials to accuse New Delhi of “profiteering” through cheap imports and resale.

China, by contrast, is being treated cautiously. Analysts say Trump is prioritising a wider trade deal with Beijing, especially on rare earth minerals critical for US manufacturing, while also avoiding tariff hikes before the US holiday season. Recent concessions, including easing semiconductor curbs and allowing Nvidia to sell chips to China, highlight this softer stance.

Officials argue that sanctioning China would disrupt global oil flows and raise energy prices, while India’s shift in oil sourcing makes it a more direct target. The US and China also extended a temporary tariff truce to cool tensions.

Ultimately, Washington’s contrasting approach reflects strategic calculations: China is too central to US trade and supply chains, while India is easier to pressure.