NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C, August 6, 2025: President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he will double tariffs on India to 50 percent this month, citing the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move, aimed at pressuring Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, marks one of Trump’s toughest trade actions since returning to the White House.
The new penalty comes on top of a 25 percent tariff Trump unveiled last week, which he said was a response to India’s “unfair trade barriers.” Under the latest executive order, India will face another 25 percent duty beginning August 27 if it does not curb Russian oil imports. Combined, the measures will raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent.
Trump, previewing the decision earlier this week on social media, accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian crude and reselling it on the global market. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” Trump wrote.
India, which relies on Russian oil to meet the energy needs of its 1.4 billion people, condemned the decision. “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the U.S. should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” India’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued Wednesday night.
New Delhi has signaled it has no plans to halt Russian oil purchases, noting that several other countries, including China and Turkey, are also major importers.
The executive order also paves the way for similar penalties on other nations that continue to import Russian energy. Trump directed his administration to investigate and recommend whether those countries should face steep duties or other punitive measures.
Cover photo: File photo of Republican Hindu Coalition founder Shalabh Kumar, back to camera, with President Donald Trump in January 2017. (RHC/IANS)
