US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil, sharply escalating tensions between the two countries after trade talks collapsed.
The new measure raises tariffs on some Indian goods to as high as 50 percent — among the steepest faced by any US trading partner.
The move is expected to hit key Indian export sectors including textiles, footwear, and gems and jewelery and marks the most serious downturn in US-India relations since Trump returned to office in January.
It also comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first visit to China in over seven years, suggesting a potential realignment in alliances as ties with Washington fray.
“India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” India’s external affairs ministry said in a statement, saying it was “extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”
