New Delhi: In a move that has sent ripples across the global trade landscape, the United States has officially announced additional tariffs on imports from India, raising the overall levy on several goods to a staggering 50 per cent. The new duties, triggered by India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, are set to come into force at 12:01 a.m. EST on August 27.
The notification, issued by the US Department of Homeland Security through Customs and Border Protection (CBP), enforces President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14329 signed on August 6. The order directs American agencies to “respond to threats posed by the Russian Federation,” with India unexpectedly landing in Washington’s crosshairs as part of this policy.
The tariffs will apply to a broad range of Indian products listed in the annexure of the notice and cover any shipments arriving in the US or leaving bonded warehouses after the deadline. With this decision, Trump has escalated economic pressure on Moscow’s trading partners, even hinting at further action if diplomatic progress stalls.
The White House has so far refrained from imposing similar measures on other major buyers of Russian oil, notably China, sparking concerns in New Delhi about selective targeting. Trump warned of “very big consequences” in the coming weeks if a breakthrough on the Russia front fails to materialize.
Reacting strongly, Indian officials slammed the secondary tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” stressing that New Delhi would continue to act in its national interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a public gathering in Ahmedabad, declared that India would withstand external pressure and chart its own course.
“No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it. Today, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is getting a lot of energy from Gujarat, and behind this are two decades of hard work,” PM Modi asserted.
Trade experts warn that the 50 per cent levy could hit India’s exports hard, potentially disrupting sectors ranging from textiles to machinery. With Washington tightening the screws and New Delhi standing its ground, the standoff threatens to snowball into a major flashpoint in Indo-US economic ties.
