Trump says may ‘substantially’ raise tariffs on India in next 24 hours
Source: Hindustan Times | Original Published At: 2025-08-05 12:35:19 UTC
Key Points
- Trump threatens substantial tariff increase on India within 24 hours
- Cites India's Russian oil purchases and 'highest tariffs on US goods'
- India rejects US threats as 'unjustified and unreasonable'
- MEA highlights hypocrisy of Western nations trading with Russia
- Current 25% tariffs linked to India's BRICS alignment and Russia ties
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday has said that he may ‘substantially’ raise tariffs on India in next 24 hours. Trump’s latest statement comes a day after he vowed to raise tariffs on India due to its purchase of Russian oil and other military products. Trump’s latest statement comes a day after he vowed to raise tariffs on India due to its purchase of Russian oil and other military products.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump once again reiterated his claim that India has the highest tariffs on US goods in the world.
“India has not been a good trading partner because they do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them. So we settled on 25 percent, but I think I’m going to raise that rate quite substantially in the next 24 hours,” said Trump.
“They’re buying Russian oil and fueling the war machine. And if they are going to do that, I’m not going to be happy,” the US president added further.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russia slammed Trump’s threat against India and stated that such statements against Russian trading partners will be perceived as “threats’ against Moscow.
In response to Trump’s warning, the Indian government issued a strong worded statement, labelling the US’ threats as “unjustified and unreasonable.”
In the official rebuttal from the Ministry of External Affairs, India also accused the US and EU of targeting New Delhi while pointing out its trading deals with Russia.
‘India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation,” said MEA.
“However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the official statement added further.
Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff against India ahead of his August 1 deadline, This tariff came due to India’s high rates for US goods and a penalty for New Delhi’s close ties with Russia and participation in BRICS.