President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he will raise tariffs on India by an additional 25 percent, citing the country’s continued purchases of Russian oil as a direct contribution to the war in Ukraine.
The new tariff, formalized through an executive order, brings the total tariff burden on Indian goods to 50 percent. The first 25 percent “reciprocal” tariff, announced last week, is set to take effect on Thursday, while the newly added increase will begin in three weeks.
Trump has repeatedly voiced concern over India’s growing imports of Russian crude, claiming the purchases bolster Moscow’s ability to wage war. “They’re buying Russian oil, they’re fueling the war machine,” Trump told CNBC on Tuesday. “And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy.”
Until now, Trump had threatened retaliation without specifying the scale. Wednesday’s announcement confirms his intent to significantly escalate economic pressure on New Delhi unless it alters its energy strategy.
India swiftly responded to the new tariffs, defending its oil imports as essential to maintaining domestic stability. “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement Monday.
Indian officials have argued that their energy purchases are a matter of economic necessity, not political alignment. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has dramatically ramped up its imports of discounted Russian crude, becoming one of Moscow’s top energy customers.
Trump, who campaigned on ending the war in Ukraine, has grown increasingly critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin as the conflict drags on. In recent days, Trump has expressed frustration over continued drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and is preparing to unveil new sanctions targeting Moscow.
The tariff escalation against India marks a sharp turn in U.S.-India trade relations and comes as part of Trump’s broader strategy of using economic leverage to influence global alliances amid continued warfare in Europe.