India Faces Trump’s Wrath: 25% Tariffs Loom Large

India Faces Trump’s Wrath: 25% Tariffs Loom Large

Trump Increases Pressure on India Ahead of Tariff Deadline

Just days before his proposed tariff deadline, former President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of India, casting doubt on the chances of reaching a trade agreement with one of the United States’ key partners.

In a pair of posts on Truth Social this Wednesday, Trump took aim at India’s high trade barriers and its ongoing reliance on Russian oil and military supplies. He reiterated his plan to impose a 25% tariff on all Indian imports and warned of additional penalties in response to India’s continued purchases from Russia.

“Although India is considered a friend, we’ve done relatively little trade with them over the years because their tariffs are among the highest in the world,” Trump wrote. “They also maintain some of the most burdensome and unfair non-monetary trade barriers. On top of that, India continues to be one of the largest buyers of Russian military equipment and energy — just like China — even as the world urges Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. None of this is good!”

This tough stance follows a series of recent trade deals with other major partners, including Japan and the European Union, which have set tariffs between 15% and 20% and included promises to open markets for U.S. goods and secure foreign investment.

For India, the timing of Trump's remarks is especially difficult, as it disrupts months of intense negotiations. Indian and U.S. trade officials have been working steadily—traveling back and forth between Washington and New Delhi—to finalize a deal that seemed close to completion multiple times. But with Trump feeling emboldened by recent See more