Trump hikes U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over Russian oil purchases

The U.S. government has escalated economic pressure on Russia by imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, due to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Announced by Donald Trump via an executive order, this move raises the total U.S. tariffs on India to 50 percent, signaling a broader strategy to isolate Moscow through secondary sanctions. The new tariffs are set to take effect 21 days after the order’s signing, potentially allowing India and Russia time to reassess their trade arrangements [1].

Trump has consistently argued that countries facilitating Russian energy exports, particularly through oil and gas purchases, are undermining global efforts to curtail funding for the war in Ukraine. India, which has become a key buyer of discounted Russian oil, has faced sharp U.S. criticism over its trade with Moscow. Analysts suggest that this tariff could disrupt India’s growing role as an alternative manufacturing hub to China, especially for U.S. companies seeking to diversify supply chains [2].

India has pushed back against the U.S. and European Union’s approach, accusing both of applying double standards in trade with Russia. New Delhi contends that Western nations maintain significant economic ties with Moscow while imposing strict measures on smaller economies like India that engage in Russian oil imports [3]. The U.S. action, therefore, is not only a punitive measure but also a strategic test of how far India will comply with Western-led pressure on Russia.

The timing of the announcement—weeks before potential diplomatic engagements with Russia—highlights a strategic effort to leverage economic tools in broader negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Nikki Haley has publicly questioned the consistency of Trump’s trade policies, especially in light of existing tariffs on Chinese goods and the lack of similar action against larger economies [4].

These developments reflect a broader pattern in Trump’s trade strategy, which includes maintaining a 30 percent tariff on Chinese imports, a measure aimed at addressing perceived unfair trade practices. In response, China has imposed a 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods [5]. The administration appears to be using trade policy not only as a tool for domestic economic protectionism but also as a lever to influence foreign policy outcomes, particularly in relation to Russia.

The U.S. approach underscores its willingness to deploy economic coercion to shape global behavior, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. While the full impact on India remains uncertain, the move is likely to have broader implications for global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics, especially as other countries evaluate their own exposure to U.S. trade policies [6].

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[1] [Trump imposes 25 percent tariff on Indian goods over ...](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/6/trump-imposes-25-percent-tariff-on-indian-goods-over-russian-oil)

[2] [Trump to put additional 25% import taxes on India, bringing ...](https://www.wdsu.com/article/trump-25-percent-tariff-india-russian-oil/65614701)

[3] [India accuses US, EU of Russia trade double standards](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/5/india-accuses-us-eu-of-russia-trade-double-standards-who-is-right)

[4] [Haley questions Trump's trade moves with China, India](https://thehill.com/business/5437154-us-china-tariffs-india-oil-haley)

[6] [Trump eyes tough tariffs: Targets nations buying Russian oil](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-eyes-tough-tariffs-targets-nations-buying-russian-oil-claims-talks-with-russia-soon/articleshow/123130178.cms)