Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on India, Additional Penalties Effective August 1

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The United States will impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports starting August 1, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social. This decision comes amid stalled trade negotiations between the two countries.

Trump cited India's high tariffs and trade barriers, as well as its continued ties with Russia, as reasons for the tariff imposition. He stated that despite being friends, India and the US have done relatively little trade due to India's high tariffs and "obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers".

India will also face an additional penalty for buying military equipment and energy from Russia, Trump said. He criticized India's military and energy cooperation with Moscow, calling India Russia's biggest energy buyer and a major arms customer.

The tariffs could profoundly impact bilateral trade relations between India and the US, which have grown steadily over the past decade. India-US trade talks have been ongoing, but no agreement has been finalized yet.

A US delegation is scheduled to visit India next month for further trade talks. The Indian government has not yet officially responded to Trump's statement, but Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has emphasized that India will only accept a trade deal that is in the national interest.