Trump’s 25% tariff threat on Venezuela oil imports may impact India
New York: US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on exports from countries purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela, a move that could significantly impact India.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday, stating, “Any country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25 per cent to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country.” The tariff is set to take effect on April 2, coinciding with his plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on all countries, though reports suggest these may be sector-specific.
India, which imported 63,115 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan oil in 2024, had been looking to expand trade with the South American nation. In February, Venezuela’s Vice President and Petroleum Minister Delcy Rodríguez met with India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during the Energy India Week event. Puri had expressed optimism about increasing imports from Venezuela, citing easing international constraints. However, Trump’s tariff move now threatens these plans.
Trump linked the tariff to his campaign against the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), which he designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation.” He accused Venezuela’s government of deliberately sending gang members to the US, attributing them to crimes across the country.
The tariff would affect multiple nations, including China, Venezuela’s largest oil importer. Ironically, the US itself remains a top buyer, importing 228,000 bpd from Venezuela in 2024. Trump’s administration has also given US oil company Chevron two months to wind down its Venezuelan operations.
Venezuela has been under US sanctions for years over allegations against President Nicolás Maduro. While former President Joe Biden had eased restrictions through a general waiver, it was rescinded last year following claims of unfair elections. Biden’s administration had introduced specific waivers, which Trump has now revoked.
With the new tariff set to take effect in April, India’s plans for deeper energy ties with Venezuela face uncertainty.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Will let my work talk: Raghav Chadha in Instagram post amid rift with AAP
New Delhi (PTI): Sidelined AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday shared on Instagram a video titled "Voice Raised Price Paid", a compilation of clips of him raising various issues in Parliament, amid his ongoing rift with his party.
"With due respect, to those who are questioning my parliamentary performance, I will let my work do the talking," he said in the post.
The AAP on April 2 removed Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and has accused him of shying away from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR".
A combative Chadha has dismissed the party's allegations as "lies" and said that he went to Parliament to raise people's issues and not to create ruckus.
Since his removal as the AAP's deputy leader in the Upper House, Chadha has shared several videos and posts on social media, making it clear that he will not take his demotion lying down.
