August 6, 2025
RED FM News Desk
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India for continuing to purchase oil from Russia, bringing the total U.S. tariffs on Indian imports to 50%.
The executive order, signed Wednesday, is set to take effect 21 days after its signing, leaving a short window for India and Russia to potentially engage in negotiations with the U.S. administration over the import taxes.
The move is seen as a significant escalation in U.S. trade policy and could have broad implications for India’s economic trajectory. Many American companies had begun viewing India as a viable alternative to Chinese manufacturing—an industry Trump has long targeted with tariffs in an effort to reduce U.S. reliance on China.
Notably, while China also continues to import oil from Russia, Beijing was not subjected to the additional tariffs in the executive order signed by the Republican president.
The tariff hike comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China, with Washington currently imposing a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, while Beijing has responded with a 10% retaliatory tax on American products.
India Responds: “Will Take All Necessary Steps to Protect National Interests”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strongly worded response to the U.S. move, calling the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” In a statement, the MEA asserted that New Delhi will take all necessary actions to safeguard its national interests.
The ministry criticized the decision to penalize India for its ongoing oil trade with Russia, stating:
“We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and are undertaken with the overarching objective of ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion people of India.”
MEA further stated that it is “deeply unfortunate” that the U.S. would choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.
The statement reiterated India’s stance:
“We repeat that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”
As global tensions rise over energy security and trade policies, the growing rift between Washington and New Delhi marks a potential turning point in what has traditionally been a strong strategic partnership.
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