Washington D.C., July 30, 2025: In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that India will face a new 25% tariff starting August 1, citing high tariffs, restrictive trade practices, and continued military and energy ties with Russia. In a social media post, Trump asserted that while India is considered a friend, it has imposed some of the world’s highest tariffs and maintains “strenuous and obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers, limiting meaningful U.S.-India business engagements.
The president also criticized India’s longstanding purchase of military equipment from Russia and its role as one of Moscow’s largest energy buyers, alongside China. Trump highlighted this as a serious issue, especially “at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine.”
The new tariff, which he described as a “penalty,” is intended as a response to these actions. Trump concluded the post by thanking Americans for their attention and signed off with his campaign slogan: “MAGA!”
