‘Deal Already Made’: Trump Claims India Will Source Oil From Venezuela, Not Iran

Trump Says India Will Buy Venezuelan Oil Instead of Iranian Crude, Signals Shift in Global Energy Flows.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India will purchase oil from Venezuela rather than from Iran, signaling a possible realignment in international energy trade as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on Russian crude and redirect global energy supplies.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We’ve already made that deal, the concept of the deal… India is coming in, and they’re going to be buying Venezuelan oil, as opposed to buying it from Iran.” He also said China is welcome to negotiate a similar oil deal.

Trump’s remarks follow Washington’s recent indication that India could soon resume purchases of Venezuelan crude, aimed at helping replace some of its declining Russian oil imports. The U.S. had previously imposed a 25 per cent tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil but is now easing some restrictions to encourage alternative sourcing.

Experts note that India’s oil import decisions are driven by commercial and strategic considerations, and any significant shift toward Venezuelan crude will depend on market economics and refinery capabilities.