US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared the imposition of a 25% tariff along with additional penalties on Indian imports, effective August 1. He cited India’s continued oil imports from Russia and longstanding trade barriers as key reasons behind the move.
In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump emphasised that while India is considered a friend, trade relations between the two countries have remained limited due to what he described as excessive tariffs and restrictive non-monetary barriers.
“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high — among the highest in the world — and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country,” Trump wrote.
He also pointed to India’s defense and energy ties with Russia and wrote, “They have always bought the vast majority of their military equipment from Russia and are one of Russia’s largest energy buyers, along with China, at a time when the world wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine — all things not good!”
“India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1st. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAGA!,” he announced.
