Trump Throws Another 25% Tariff Tantrum At India Over Russian Oil Again; India To Take Necessary Actions

Like a kid cries angrily until he gets what he wants, US President Donald Trump has thrown another tariff tantrum at India, doubling the levy to 50% from 25% earlier. Day after saying he will significantly increase tariff on India since it is “not good trading partner”, Trump has announced additional 25% duty on imports from New Delhi.

Serving as the 47^th President of the United States, Trump on Tuesday (August 5) warned that he will be raising tariff rates on India from the current 25%. “India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them,” he said in an interview.

Around 24 hours later, Trump has signed an executive order, imposing an additional 25% tariff on its South Asian trade partner in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Now, the total tariff on India stands at 50%, plus the penalty that Trump had announced earlier.

Trump tariffs on India: What does the latest order say?

In an executive order signed on August 6, the US President said the move against India is in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. The 9-section order outlines the details of various aspects, like the background, the tariffs, the scope of duties and stacking, among others.

“To address that unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, Executive Order 14066 prohibited the importation into the US of certain products of Russian Federation origin, including crude oil; petroleum; and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation.”

It further cited that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US. “To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India,” it stated.

Reason? Because New Delhi is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, as per Trump’s executive order.

Trump’s additional 25% tariff on India: How New Delhi reacted?

Reiterating that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, underlined how the US has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. “We have already made clear our position on these issues.”

New Delhi has already asserted that the idea to import Russian oil was in larger interests and based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the MEA statement added.

India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.

When will Trump’s new tariff on India come into effect?

As per the executive order signed on August 6, this rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 am eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for some goods.

These excluded items include those that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the US before 12:01 am eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order; and are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 am on September 17, 2025.

What is the scope of Trump’s new executive order?

It clearly gives the Secretary of Commerce the power recommend any action if they find that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. They “shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25% on imports.”

US Customs and Border Protection can also take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer a duty imposed by this order or any action taken pursuant to this order.

Russia’s reaction to Trump’s tariffs on India?

Before this latest order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India, Russia accused the US government of using “neocolonial” policy against specific countries to maintain Washington’s hegemony. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said no tariff wars or sanctions “can halt the natural course of history”, calling sanctions and restrictions a “regrettable reality”.

“Unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order, Washington continues to pursue a neocolonial agenda, employing politically motivated economic pressure against those who choose an independent course on the international stage,” she said.

Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has reached Moscow and is set to hold talks on strategic partnership, defence, and security cooperation between India and Russia, according to Russian news agency TASS. Doval’s Russia visit holds significance as it comes at a time when the Trump-led US administration continues to issue trade threats to countries closely aligned with Russia, including India.