 "US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of trade talks with India amid the ongoing tariff dispute. File image/AP")
The United States has formally announced a 25 per cent hike in tariffs on Indian imports through an official notice issued on Monday (local time), with the new duties set to take effect at 12:01 am (EST) on August 27, raising the overall tariff rate to 50 per cent.
The Department of Homeland Security, through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said the step enforces President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14329, signed on August 6.
Earlier this month, Trump unveiled plans to double tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 50 per cent over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, setting an August 27 deadline. The draft notice, published Monday, confirms the administration will proceed with the higher levies.
According to the notice, the tariffs apply to Indian products “that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 am eastern daylight time on August 27, 2025.”
The White House has said the move is intended to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin by restricting Moscow’s oil revenues and forcing him to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine.
India has rejected the so-called secondary tariffs as unfair and defended its decision as being in its own national interest.
‘No matter how much pressure comes…’: PM Modi
Two days before US tariffs on Indian goods come into force, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Aug 25) said India would stand firm against economic pressure and continue to build resilience.
Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad’s Nikol area, Modi said, “No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it.” He underlined that small entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen and livestock rearers would remain his government’s top priority.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe remarks came ahead of the 50 per cent tariff penalty imposed by the Trump administration, set to take effect on August 27, over India’s purchase of Russian oil.
On Sunday, US Vice President J D Vance told NBC News that President Donald Trump had used “aggressive economic leverage,” including secondary tariffs on India, to curb Moscow’s oil revenues and push Russia to halt its attacks on Ukraine.
Without directly naming Washington, Modi said the world was witnessing “politics of economic self-interest” and vowed not to allow harm to the interests of small businesses, farmers and workers.
He also urged people to prefer Swadeshi and Make in India products, stressing that “Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat are important roadmaps for a Viksit Bharat.” Modi credited Gujarat’s role in driving the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, saying it was built on “two decades of hard work.”