Overview

• White House trade adviser Peter Navarro confirmed a new 25‑percentage‑point surcharge took effect after a deadline passed, lifting duties on many Indian imports to as high as 50% following five failed negotiating rounds.
• U.S. officials cite India’s continued purchases of discounted Russian oil as the trigger, with analysts estimating India saved at least $17 billion since 2022 and Russian crude now about 40% of its oil intake.
• The higher rates cover categories such as clothing, gems and jewelry, footwear, sports goods, furniture and chemicals, and export groups say roughly 55% of India’s shipments to the U.S. — about $87 billion — could be hit.
• New Delhi denounced the move as unjust and defended buying the cheapest energy, while officials discuss financial support for affected exporters and potential diversion of sales to China, Latin America and the Middle East.
• The step slots into broader 2025 U.S. tariff escalations, with EU and German industry — especially machinery makers exposed to expanded 50% steel and aluminum surcharges — pressing Brussels for tougher action or renegotiation.