Trump vows 'a lot more' secondary sanctions on nations that buy Russian oil after India hit

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to impose "a lot more" secondary sanctions on nations that purchase Russian oil after slapping the penalties on India hours earlier.

"You're going to see a lot more. You're going to see so much secondary sanctions," Trump told reporters at the White House, later signaling that China could be one of the targets of the economic penalties.

"Could happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen," Trump said in response to a reporter's question, apparently alluding to ongoing trade talks with Beijing that he has said are making progress towards an agreement.

Trump earlier Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. The tariffs will be effective in 21 days.

The order further directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to determine whether any other country is "directly or indirectly" importing Russian Federation oil.

"If the Secretary of Commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” he, consulting with other officials, “shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country," it said.

Trump said Tuesday that the US will "make that determination" about sanctions on countries that purchase Russian oil after talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials in Moscow.

Trump accuses New Delhi of profiting from the resale of Russian oil.

Asked about the talks in Moscow between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the war in Ukraine, Trump said there was not a breakthrough, but said there is a "very good prospect" that he will hold a trilateral summit with the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"There's a very good prospect that they will, and we haven't determined where, but we had some very good talks with President Putin today, and there's a very good chance that we could be ending the round, ending the end of that road," he said.

"That road was long, and continues to be long, but there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon," he added.