Trump’s Russian diesel deal: One rule for India, another for the US

The United States has long targeted India for its substantial purchases of Russian oil, imposing additional tariffs and potentially up to a 100% tariff on top buyers of Russian energy. Despite this, President Donald Trump has announced a deal allowing Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets.

This shift in policy may be a response to mounting domestic pressure over soaring fuel prices and approaching midterm elections. However, the US has historically penalized other countries for buying Russian energy, raising questions about the consistency of its stance. The deal may help reduce diesel prices in the US and beyond, but analysts note that the added volumes are insufficient to address the global supply disruptions.

The US Department of the Treasury has granted a temporary license for Russian-origin diesel sales, but challenges such as Russia's limited fuel exports and damaged refineries persist.