New Delhi [India], August 7 : Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the imposition of a 25 per cent additional tariff on Indian oil imports from Russia, and said that the US President himself continues to buy uranium and fertilisers from Russia.
While talking to ANI, Bhagat questioned the behaviour of Trump towards India and said, "The way he has been behaving with India, it does not seem at all like the behaviour of an American President. The saddest thing is PM Modi's silence... Trump himself is purchasing Uranium and fertilisers from Russia... PM Modi should break his silence and answer... Will Trump take the decision every time?..."
Earlier, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil.
According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.
After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions.
The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency.
"Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated.
"This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order," the order added.