Washington, D.C: The United States government has issued an official directive imposing an additional 25% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from India, with the new rates set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, August 27. The announcement was made public through a notice from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security.
The additional duties stem from Executive Order 14329, signed by President Donald Trump on August 6, which outlines actions against nations deemed to be aiding or engaging with the Russian government. The move represents an expansion of Washingtonโs efforts to economically isolate Moscow by pressuring its key trading partners โ in this case, New Delhi.
According to the CBP notice, the new tariffs will apply to a wide list of Indian products detailed in an annex accompanying the order. These goods will face the elevated duties if they enter U.S. commerce or exit bonded warehouses on or after the specified enforcement date.
India Caught in Crossfire of USโRussia Policy
While the executive order focuses on countering threats from Russia, Indiaโs inclusion in the tariff action is directly linked to its continued purchase of Russian oil and commodities โ trade that Washington views as undermining global sanctions on Moscow. President Trump has indicated that countries maintaining strong economic ties with Russia could be subject to further penalties if diplomatic efforts stall.
โWeโre prepared to go further if we have to,โ Trump said during a recent press conference. โThere will be very big consequences if we donโt see real progress soon.โ
So far, the US has not imposed similar penalties on other major buyers of Russian energy, such as China. However, Trumpโs remarks suggest that further escalations remain on the table.
New Delhi Calls Tariff Move โUnjustifiedโ
India has strongly pushed back against the tariff increase, calling the US decision โunjustified and deeply regrettable.โ Officials in New Delhi argue that Indiaโs trade policy reflects its national interest and not geopolitical alignment.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue during a public event in Gujarat on Monday, vowing to withstand external economic pressure.
โNo matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it,โ Modi said. โToday, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is gaining momentum, especially here in Gujarat, because of the hard work weโve done over the past two decades.โ
The Prime Minister did not indicate whether India would retaliate with its own trade measures but emphasized that his government would โfind a way out.โ
