U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50% — one of the highest rates imposed by the United States in recent years. The measure, issued via executive order on Wednesday, is aimed at penalizing India for its continued importation and resale of Russian oil.
According to the executive order, the new tariff rate will come into effect “21 days after the date of this order.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly responded, calling the move “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” In a statement released Wednesday, the ministry said, “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the U.S. should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”
Earlier, Trump had accused Indian officials of disregarding civilian casualties in Ukraine, writing that they “don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”
In its official statement, the White House reiterated that “the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine pose an ongoing threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy,” and claimed that India’s oil trade with Moscow “undermines U.S. efforts to counter Russia’s harmful activities.”
The statement further alleged that India’s purchase and resale of Russian oil enables Moscow’s economy to continue funding the war in Ukraine. The U.S. administration has also hinted at further action, saying it will assess other countries’ dealings with Russia and “recommend further actions to the President as needed.”
The new tariffs come in the wake of a Moscow visit by Trump’s top envoy Steve Witkoff, who was engaged in peace negotiations related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India, meanwhile, has reiterated that its trade with Russia is based on national interest and global energy stability. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the U.S. itself had once encouraged Indian imports of Russian gas to stabilize global markets. “India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict,” he said.
New Delhi has also pointed out the inconsistency in Washington’s position, highlighting that the U.S. itself traded approximately $3.5 billion in goods with Russia last year, despite existing sanctions.
“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the ministry said.
The move signals Trump’s increasing willingness to impose sanctions related to the Ukraine war on even close allies and major trading partners. With another deadline approaching on Friday, during which the U.S. president has threatened to place 100% tariffs on countries still purchasing Russian oil, global markets are bracing for further disruption.
