Overview

• The 50% levy, announced August 6 and effective August 27, marks the steepest US duty on any trading partner and targets India’s continued imports of discounted Russian oil.
• Trump ruled out resuming trade negotiations until New Delhi addresses his administration’s concerns over Russia-sourced crude.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the escalation as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and officially lodged a protest.
• New Delhi paused plans to buy US weapons and aircraft, canceling a pending defense purchase announcement to underscore its displeasure.
• Russia and China publicly criticized the tariffs, while US Senator Gregory Meeks warned the move threatens years of work building the US-India strategic partnership.