US tariff threats against India won't work, says Lavrov as Trump softens rhetoric

Lavrov’s comments come amid months of repeated warnings from US President Donald Trump, who has criticised India’s oil trade with Russia and threatened tariffs. In recent weeks, Trump has taken a noticeably softer approach towards India despite his rhetoric.

Trump once again stressed his friendship with PM Modi.(Photo: Reuters)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said American threats of tariffs against India and China are proving ineffective, adding that Washington is beginning to realise the futility of using pressure tactics with two ancient civilisations.

Speaking on Russia’s main Channel 1 TV programme The Great Game, Lavrov said that both New Delhi and Beijing have stood firm in response to tariff warnings from Washington.

“Both China and India are ancient civilisations. And talking to them like ‘either you stop doing what I don’t like or I’ll impose tariffs on you’ won’t work. And the ongoing contacts between Beijing and Washington, between New Delhi and Washington, show that the American side understands it, too,” he said.

LAVROV POINTS TO SHIFT IN US APPROACH

Just two days after posting a birthday message praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump once again stressed his friendship with the Indian leader while speaking to reporters in the UK alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“I am very close to India, I am very close to the PM of India. I spoke to him the other day. I wished him a happy Birthday. We have a very good relationship,” Trump said.

Lavrov said that both India and China have resisted Washington’s demands and continue to pursue policies based on their own national interests rather than pressure from the US.

According to Lavrov, Washington’s pressure campaign has had consequences for countries targeted by tariff threats, but it has not forced them to change course.

“Besides the fact that this undermines the economic well-being of those countries, it at least creates very serious difficulties for them, forcing them to seek new markets, new sources of energy supplies, (and) forcing them to pay higher prices. But beyond this, and perhaps even more importantly than this, there is a moral and political opposition to this approach,” he said.

SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA ‘NO PROBLEM’, SAYS LAVROV

The Russian minister also addressed the wave of sanctions placed on Moscow by the US and its allies, insisting that Russia has adjusted to the restrictions.

“Frankly speaking, I don’t see any problem with the new sanctions imposed on Russia. An enormous amount of sanctions, unprecedented for that period, were imposed during President Donald Trump’s first term,” Lavrov commented.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/us-tariff-threats-against-india-wont-work-says-lavrov-trump-softens-rhetoric-glbs-2789747-2025-09-19