Imposes 25% Increase in Tariffs on Goods from India by Trump
The United States is taking a bold step in its foreign policy by imposing additional tariffs on imports from India. The tariffs, amounting to 25 percent, are a direct response to India's persistent purchases of Russian oil.
The move is part of the U.S. government's broader sanctions framework, aimed at addressing the national security threat posed by Russia's actions in Ukraine. President Trump issued an Executive Order on August 6, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), asserting U.S. sanctions authority to impose this tariff on goods linked to Russian oil imports.
This action is intended to use economic pressure to deter India and other countries from supporting the Russian economy through oil purchases amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. The tariffs are a unilateral decision made by the US government, and they are not related to any specific Indian-US trade agreements or disputes.
The additional 25% tariff on Indian imports is in addition to previous duties, raising the total tariff rate on certain Indian goods to 50%. This is part of ongoing efforts to pressure Russia economically. It's important to note that special tariffs of 50 percent already apply to steel and aluminum in the US.
For products such as semiconductors or pharmaceuticals, Trump plans to set his own rates. Sector-specific surcharges are excluded from the new tariffs.
The U.S. administration has indicated that similar tariffs may be imposed on other countries that import Russian oil, directly or indirectly, to further isolate Russia economically until a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict is reached.
India's daily imports of Russian oil amounted to around 1.8 million barrels, making it the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China. India imported nearly 36 percent of its crude oil from Russia last year, up from just 2 percent before the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The new decree from the US doubles the tariffs for India to 50 percent in three weeks. The US aims to reduce Russian oil revenues, which contribute to the financing of the attack on Ukraine.
The tariffs could potentially impact the US-India trade relationship. Other countries, such as China, Brazil, and EU member states like Hungary or Austria, continue to trade with Russia despite the US tariffs. This move by the US is a potential move to exert leverage against Russia.
[1] White House Statement on Executive Order on Addressing the National Emergency with Respect to the Threat to the United States from Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities Originating from Russia and the Advancing of Russian Interests in Cyberspace. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/08/06/executive-order-on-addressing-the-national-emergency-with-respect-to-the-threat-to-the-united-states-from-malicious-cyber-enabled-activities-originating-from-russia-and-the-advancing-of-russian-interests-in-cyberspace/
[2] Office of the United States Trade Representative. (2025). Fact Sheet: U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Indian Imports in Response to Russian Oil Purchases. [online] Available at: https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-issues/press-releases/2025/08/us-imposes-tariffs-indian-imports-response-russian-oil-purchases
[3] U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2025). Tariff Rate Quota for Steel and Aluminum Products. [online] Available at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-cargo-and-import/tariff-rate-quota-steel-and-aluminum-products
[4] United States Department of State. (2025). Fact Sheet: The United States' Response to Russia's Aggression in Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.state.gov/fact-sheets/the-united-states-response-to-russias-aggression-in-ukraine/
- As part of a broader policy-and-legislation initiative, the U.S. government has implemented tariffs on Indian imports as a response to India's persistent purchases of Russian oil, moving towards addressing national security threats posed by Russia's actions in Ukraine.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have influenced the landscape of general-news and politics, with the U.S. administration considering imposing similar tariffs on other countries that import Russian oil, as a part of an effort to further isolate Russia economically.
