The United States has sharply escalated its trade dispute with India, unveiling a new round of tariffs that lifts the total levy on imports from the South Asian nation to 50%. This move, announced by the White House on Wednesday, marks one of the most severe tariffs the US has imposed on any major trading partner.
The additional 25% duty, scheduled to take effect in just three weeks, comes as an earlier 25% tariff is poised to be implemented imminently.
The decision signals the Trump administration’s resolve to hold nations accountable for energy dealings with Moscow, intensifying efforts to undermine Russia’s revenue streams in response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In recent weeks, President Trump has ratcheted up criticism of countries maintaining or expanding energy trade with Russia, arguing that such actions undermine the effectiveness of the Western sanctions campaign.
“I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine,” wrote the executive order. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent. ”
India, which continues to buy substantial volumes of Russian oil, finds itself now facing some of the harshest trade penalties Washington has levied in response to third-country ties with Moscow. US officials say these measures are intended to discourage flows of funds to Vladimir Putin’s government and apply further economic pressure on the Kremlin.
“We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” an official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in the statement. Earlier, India reaffirmed that it will protect its national interest should Trump decide to go through with the tariffs.
