The US will impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from India “plus an unspecified penalty” for buying Russian energy and weapons, President Trump has said.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said the measures would take effect from from 1 August, the US deadline for a trade deal. He described India as a friend whose “tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the world”.
He also criticised India’s purchases of Russian military equipment and energy “when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE”.
There was no immediate response from India, which has been negotiating a trade deal with the US for months. Last year, the US had a trade deficit of $45.8bn (£26.1bn) with India.
Back in April, Trump had announced tariffs of up to 27% on Indian goods, which were later paused. This Friday is the latest deadline for India and other countries to either reach a trade agreement or face increased tariffs.
Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. The US president has repeatedly taken aim at India’s high tariffs, branding it a “tariff king” and a “big abuser” of trade ties.
“But now I’m in charge, and you just can’t do that,” he said earlier on Tuesday.
Since April, both sides have been racing to negotiate an agreement, with officials sometimes sounding positive and at other times, measured.
Agriculture and dairy are among the key sticking points for both countries.
For years, Washington has pushed for greater access to India’s farm sector, seeing it as a major untapped market. But India has fiercely protected it, citing food security, livelihoods and the interests of millions of small farmers.
Credit: bbc.com
