Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on India on 30 July, 2025.
The U.S. also imposed an unspecified additional penalty on India’s trade with Russia.
India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a statement saying that the Government is actively assessing the implications of the U.S. tariff announcement.
New Delhi – On July 30, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Indian goods entering the United States, effective August 1, 2025, citing India’s purchases of Russian oil and military equipment amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The U.S. also imposed an unspecified additional penalty on India’s trade with Russia, prompting a swift response from the Indian government, which emphasized its commitment to a balanced trade approach.
India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a statement on July 30, 2025, saying, “The Government of India is actively assessing the implications of the U.S. tariff announcement and remains committed to pursuing a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the United States to strengthen bilateral ties.” The ministry underscored India’s need to maintain affordable energy supplies through its trade with Russia, a key factor in its economic strategy.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated, “India is our friend, but we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country.” He criticized India’s role as one of Russia’s largest energy buyers, alongside China, adding, “Everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!”
Trump further remarked, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!"
India imported approximately 231 million barrels of Russian crude oil in 2025, representing 35% of its total oil imports, per the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This positions India as Russia’s second-largest oil buyer after China, driven by cost savings. India also procures around $80 billion in Russian military equipment, including fighter jets and missile systems, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The U.S. reported a $45.8 billion trade deficit with India in 2024, per the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
The U.S. tariffs follow Trump’s July 14, 2025, warning of 100% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil if Russia does not reach a Ukraine ceasefire by August 8, 2025, per a White House press release. Russian oil and gas account for nearly one-third of its state revenue, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Indian government reiterated its commitment to a balanced trade approach in response to these pressures, as noted in its July 30 statement.
Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, told The Economic Times that the tariffs could reduce India’s competitiveness in the U.S. market for textiles and pharmaceuticals. The ministry’s statement emphasized ongoing bilateral talks to address U.S. demands for zero tariffs while protecting India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.
Indian refiners, quoted in Business Standard on July 30, 2025, expressed confidence in continued Russian oil imports, citing minimal past disruptions. However, global oil price spikes could challenge India’s economy.
The U.S. embassy in New Delhi has not commented. Trump told reporters on July 29, 2025, “We’re talking to India now. We’ll see what happens.” [Rh/Eth/VS]
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