Overview
- President Trump’s executive order adds a 25% duty on top of an existing 25% tariff, bringing total U.S. levies on Indian imports to 50% by Aug. 27.
- The White House says the tariffs are a national security response to India’s discounted Russian oil imports that fund Moscow’s war machine.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the measures “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” and is preparing targeted relief for affected industries.
- Textiles, footwear and gems and jewellery exporters face steep competitive disadvantages under the higher duties, risking market share loss in the U.S.
- The sixth round of bilateral trade talks, set for Aug. 25–30 in New Delhi, will focus on de-escalating the dispute and seeking reciprocal concessions.