Peter Navarro Claims Online Attacks After Criticizing India's Russian Oil Purchases

Peter Navarro, a former White House trade adviser under President Donald Trump, has reported facing online harassment after criticizing India's trade practices, particularly its acquisition of Russian oil. Navarro stated on Tuesday that he received "firebombed" by "nasty little attacks" from the "Indian continent" on the internet in response to his remarks.

Navarro, a vocal critic of India's trade relationship with Russia, has previously alleged that New Delhi's oil purchases contribute to funding Moscow's military activities in Ukraine. In September of the previous year, India refuted Navarro's statements regarding its Russian oil imports, characterizing them as "inaccurate and misleading." Navarro described India's oil trade with Russia as "opportunistic" and damaging to international efforts to isolate the Russian economy, suggesting it equates to "India's oil laundering." He also referred to India as the "Maharaja of tariffs."

Navarro, who holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University, has a history of supporting tariffs as an economic policy tool. He is considered to have significantly influenced President Trump's views on tariffs, including the imposition of duties on Chinese imports during Trump's first term. Navarro advocated for a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports, citing reasons such as alleged currency manipulation and intellectual property theft by Beijing.

Navarro's career includes an unsuccessful attempt to enter politics as a Democratic Party candidate. He first connected with Trump during a presidential campaign nearly a decade ago and later joined the first Trump administration. In 2025, he was released after serving four months in prison for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena related to the investigation of the January 2021 US Capitol riots. President Trump defended Navarro following his appointment, stating he had been "treated horribly by the Deep State." Navarro has also authored several books on economic and political topics.