Trump Announces 25% Tariff on India from August 1, Cites High Trade Barriers and Russia Ties
31 July 2025, Washington: In a sharply worded social media post, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective August 1, citing what he described as “unfair trade practices” and India’s continued defense and energy ties with Russia.
“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,” Trump wrote on his platform. He added that India imposes “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers” that, in his view, have hampered U.S.-India trade ties for decades.
The former president also criticized India’s historical dependence on Russian military hardware and energy, calling it “not good” at a time when the global community is pressuring Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
“They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China… INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY,” he posted.
Trump did not provide specific details on which goods the tariff would target, or how the additional “penalty” would be implemented. However, the tone of the statement signals a potential strain in Indo-U.S. trade relations, especially if Trump regains office in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.
The announcement has already stirred concern among trade analysts and businesses, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT services, textiles, and auto parts, which form a significant part of India’s exports to the United States.
While the U.S. and India have often described each other as strategic partners, trade tensions have flared in the past, especially during Trump’s first term when India was removed from the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in 2019.
Indian officials have not yet issued a formal response to Trump’s post.
The development could have broader geopolitical implications, especially in the context of the evolving global stance on Russia, and as India continues to maintain a non-aligned foreign policy while deepening its ties with multiple global powers.
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