India Refuses to Bow to Trump’s Pressure, Says No Trade Talks Until 25% Tariff on Indian Goods Is Rolled Back

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The much-anticipated trade talks between India and the United States have once again hit a major roadblock. India has flatly refused to yield under US President Donald Trump’s pressure tactics, making it clear that no formal dialogue will move forward unless Washington withdraws the 25% additional tariff imposed on Indian products.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the US trade delegation was scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on August 25 for the next round of negotiations. However, the visit was abruptly cancelled after Trump’s intervention. The US President pointed to India’s purchase of Russian oil as a “major hurdle,” declaring that no trade agreement would be possible until the matter was resolved.

The official clarified that while the August 25 talks have been postponed, communication channels remain open. “At present, we are not negotiating any trade deal. Before moving forward, the US must reconsider the 25% duty. If it continues, any agreement would bring no benefit to our exporters,” the official said.

The dispute traces back to Trump’s August 6 announcement that India’s import of Russian crude oil would trigger a 25% surcharge on Indian exports, a move he claimed was against American interests. The decision has weakened prospects of a balanced trade agreement.

India and the US have been trying for years to finalize a comprehensive trade deal covering sectors such as agriculture, IT, pharmaceuticals, and energy. However, disagreements over tariffs and import-export conditions have repeatedly stalled progress. In 2019, tensions escalated when the US removed India from its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) list, prompting New Delhi to retaliate with counter-tariffs on American goods.