Overview

• Duties took legal effect Wednesday on a wide range of Indian products after DHS/CBP notices, with Indian and U.S. estimates indicating more than half of India’s shipments to the U.S. now face the 50% rate.
• Negotiations on a trade deal were postponed, and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said tariff relief is unlikely unless New Delhi cuts Russian oil imports.
• White House trade adviser Peter Navarro escalated public pressure, labeling India an “oil money laundromat” for the Kremlin, calling the Ukraine war “Modi’s war,” and suggesting a 25% tariff cut if India halts Russian crude buys.
• India condemned the measures as unfair and is preparing support for exporters, including potential liquidity steps, GST rationalisation, export-promotion moves, and regulatory reforms to cushion short-term shocks.
• Exporter groups report canceled orders, production pauses, and early layoffs across labor‑intensive sectors such as textiles, shrimp, and gems and jewellery, warning of significant job risks if the dispute persists.