In the ongoing series called Nasty Surprises from Washington, the latest is Donald Trump's ability to impose up to 100% tariffs on India and other top buyers of Russian oil. It doesn't mean he would. But the sword will hang over the relationship since it's the law. And it passed with bipartisan votes, no less.
Pushback from MEA was the strongest yet, after the House of Representatives voted for the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, making the uncertain into the inevitable. India will do what it must to ensure energy security for 1.4 bn people - it will source oil from where it can without thumbing its nose. With Russian and Iranian oil out of easy reach, large buyers' hunt for oil will impact prices in other countries, including the US. 'Potential implications' are immense.
