In a bold move to hold America’s trading partners accountable, President Donald J. Trump reportedly announced a sweeping new tariff on Indian goods Wednesday, increasing the total tariff rate to 50%, citing India’s ongoing reliance on Russian energy and what he called some of the world’s “most obnoxious” trade barriers.
The new tariffs — signed via executive order and reported by the Associated Press — will take effect in 21 days.
They follow closely on the heels of Trump’s earlier 25% tariff and an unspecified “penalty” targeting New Delhi’s economic ties to Moscow and what the president has described as persistently unfair trade practices toward the United States.
“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!”
Trump’s order underscores his administration’s growing insistence that global partners choose between doing business with America or underwriting the Kremlin’s war machine.
India, despite being a longtime democratic ally, has emerged as a top buyer of Russian oil — a position that directly undermines Western sanctions and puts it at odds with the broader moral and strategic goals of halting Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The president, now in his second term, has adopted a more confrontational posture with allies unwilling to match American expectations on both trade and security.
While India is often touted as a bulwark against Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, Trump has made clear that friendship does not mean a free pass.
“India continues to exploit American markets while padding the pockets of Russia,” said a senior Trump administration official. “This administration is drawing a hard line — if you want access to U.S. consumers, you can’t be funding Putin’s war.”
This latest move also marks a deeper strain in U.S.–India relations, which have been uneasy for years despite shared democratic values and strategic interests.
Trump’s previous attempt to broker peace between India and Pakistan in May was dismissed by Indian officials, who denied the U.S. played a role in resolving tensions with their nuclear-armed neighbor.
Still, Trump’s pressure tactics are widely viewed among conservatives as a necessary corrective to decades of one-sided trade relationships.
While past administrations hesitated to challenge India’s protectionist policies, Trump has signaled a willingness to risk diplomatic discomfort in exchange for more balanced commerce.
The tariffs are expected to send a strong signal not only to New Delhi but also to other nations still hedging between the West and Moscow.
“America will not be taken advantage of — by friend or foe,” Trump said.
[READ MORE: Netanyahu Moves Toward Full Occupation of Gaza Amid Stalemate with Hamas]
