The new tariff package is part of a broader policy promoted since the beginning of Trump's second term, focused on the principle of "reciprocity".
Trump toughens his trade policy and sanctions New Delhi's strategic ties with Moscow
The new tariff package is part of a broader policy promoted since the beginning of Trump's second term, focused on the principle of "reciprocity".
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on all imports from India, a measure that will take effect starting August 1.
The decision, released through the Truth Social network, is part of a renewed trade strategy by the president aimed at reducing trade imbalances and sanctioning strategic alliances contrary to Washington's interests.
According to the president, the measure responds to trade practices he described as unfair by the Indian government, as well as its sustained rapprochement with Russia in key sectors such as energy and defense. "Remember, while India is our ally, over the years we've done relatively little business with it due to its excessively high tariffs," among the highest in the world, "and because they have the most severe and troublesome non-monetary trade barriers of any country"", Trump stated.
The president also justified the tariff based on the volume of imports from India, which has contributed to a trade deficit exceeding 60 billion dollars during the past year. "We have a huge trade deficit with India", he said in another message. The decision also includes an additional sanction for New Delhi's strategic ties with Moscow, although the legal or financial aspects of this penalty have not yet been detailed.
Trump specifically targeted India's defense policy, noting that "they've always bought the vast majority of their military equipment from Russia and are the largest buyer of energy from Russia, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine". In this context, the president concluded:"Not good. Therefore, India will pay a 25% tariff, plus a penalty for the above, starting August 1".
Under this doctrine, the administration considers it necessary to balance the U.S. trade balance by applying differentiated tariffs and sanctions to those countries that maintain tariff barriers or restrictive practices for trade with the United States.
Unlike the president's first term, which focused its trade actions mainly on China, the current strategy includes traditional partners such as India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. The White House keeps that diplomatic alignment should not be an impediment to demanding fair trade conditions.
The geopolitical component also played a role in the decision. India has maintained an active relationship with Russia in the energy sector, accessing discounted oil in the context of Western sanctions imposed due to the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, it continues to acquire Russian weaponry, including defense systems such as the S-400, despite warnings from Washington.
A White House spokesperson summarized the official position days before the announcement: "Allies who don't behave like allies won't be treated like allies".