United States’ 50% tariffs on India take effect

The 50% tariff rate on goods imported from India to the United States took effect on Wednesday.

The Donald Trump administration had announced on August 6 that it would double the tariffs on goods imported from India to 50% for purchasing Russian oil amid the Ukraine war. A 25% so-called reciprocal tariff had already taken effect.

Trump has repeatedly alleged that India’s imports were fuelling Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The draft notification on the additional tariffs issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday said that the higher levies were being imposed due to “threats to the United States by the government of the Russian Federation”.

The tariff hikes could hurt close to 55% of India’s merchandise exports to the US worth $87 billion, and may give an advantage to competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China, exporter groups told Reuters.

The US was India’s top export destination in 2024.

Diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington have escalated since the announcement of the 50% tariff rates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government would not succumb to pressure from the secondary tariffs.

“No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it,” the prime minister said. “My government will never let harm come the way of small entrepreneurs, farmers, livestock rearers.”

New Delhi has previously said that it was “extremely unfortunate” that...

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