WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from India starting August 1, along with an additional “penalty” over New Delhi’s weapons and energy purchases with Russia.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that India had tariffs that were “among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country.”
Trump said India will also face an unspecified penalty on August 1, but he did not elaborate on the amount or what it was for.
“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 in a Truth Social post.
“Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!” he continued.
“INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST,” he said.
The 25 percent tariff rate is modestly lower than what he imposed on India on “Liberation Day,” when he announced a 26 percent rate on the key trading partner.
The tariffs on Indian goods will begin on August 1, with the two sides having not yet reached a trade deal.
Trump’s criticism of India’s Moscow-friendly stance comes as the US president becomes more skeptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the Ukraine war and commit to peace.
Trump on Monday set a 10-day deadline for Russia to achieve a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, or else Moscow will face secondary sanctions.
