WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The new measure, announced Wednesday, effectively raises the total tariff rate on Indian goods entering the United States to 50% — one of the highest levies currently imposed by Washington.
According to the executive order, the increased tariffs will take effect 21 days after signing, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, and will apply to all goods “entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption.”
In a statement issued alongside the order, the White House justified the move by stating that “India’s importation and subsequent reselling of Russian Federation oil undermines U.S. efforts to counter Russia’s harmful activities,” adding that such trade “enables the Russian economy to fund its aggression in Ukraine.”
Trump, who had previously warned of retaliatory action, criticised India’s stance, saying:
“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine.”
The White House further stated that the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine continue to pose “an ongoing threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy,” and emphasized the need for “stronger measures to address the national emergency.”
The administration noted that other countries involved in Russian oil imports would also be assessed, with further recommendations to the President to follow if necessary.
India Responds: “Unjustified and Unreasonable”
The Indian government has pushed back strongly against the move. A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, described the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable.” He also highlighted past U.S. encouragement for India to import Russian energy during the early phases of the conflict, when traditional suppliers had diverted gas flows to Europe.
“India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were redirected after the outbreak of the conflict,” said Jaiswal.
“The U.S. itself continued trade with Russia, with bilateral trade last year valued at $3.5 billion despite its sanctions and tariffs.”
India also warned that it would act in its own national interest.
“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the foreign ministry said.
Background: Diplomatic Tensions Amid Peace Push
The tariff hike follows recent visits to Moscow by Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has been leading backchannel efforts to negotiate a potential peace framework between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the U.S. seeking to position itself as a peace broker, the latest tariff escalation marks a sharp deterioration in trade relations between Washington and New Delhi — two of the world’s largest democracies and longstanding strategic partners.
Tariff Threat Extends Beyond India
The executive order signed by President Trump today also signals that other countries could soon face similar penalties over Russian oil imports.
In the order, Trump states:
The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.
Such a country could, like India, face an an additional ad valorem tariff of 25% on their imports to the US, the order explains.
