Donald Trump India Tariffs | India has strongly criticised the latest move by US President Donald Trump to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, calling the action “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”. This additional levy, which takes the total tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, is set to take effect on August 27, following Trump’s executive order signed on Wednesday.
The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the development in a strongly worded statement, calling the decision “extremely unfortunate” and reiterating India’s long-standing position that its oil imports from Russia are based on market considerations and are aimed at ensuring the energy security of its 1.4 billion citizens.
“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the ministry said.
“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the statement added.
Tariffs Follow US Warning Over Russian Oil; India, Russia Push Back
President Trump had previously warned of further penalties against India over its continued oil trade with Russia. In the executive order, Trump claimed that India was directly or indirectly importing Russian oil, which he linked to supporting Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. He accused India of “profiteering” from Russian oil and said, “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”
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The Trump administration had initially announced reciprocal tariffs on India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in February this year. Those tariffs were paused for 90 days during bilateral trade negotiations, but with no breakthrough achieved, Trump went ahead with the 25 per cent levy on August 1, and has now followed it up with the additional 25 per cent hike.
In response to possible countermeasures, Trump warned, “If anyone retaliated against the US in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered.”
Meanwhile, Russia came to India’s support, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “We hear many statements that are in fact threats, attempts to force countries to cut trade relations with Russia. We do not consider such statements to be legal.”
India reaffirmed that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and will not be coerced by any external pressure in determining its foreign policy.
