The United States on Monday laid out detailed plans to enforce a 50% tariff on Indian products, a measure earlier declared by Donald Trump, through a draft notification released by the Department of Homeland Security.
This draft marks the latest indication that the White House is determined to press forward with its escalated trade duties, even as attempts to secure a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine appear to be faltering.
According to the notice, the heightened duties will apply to Indian goods “that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 AM eastern daylight time (ETD) on August 27, 2025.”
President Trump had earlier this month unveiled plans to raise tariffs on Indian imports linked to Russian oil, doubling them from 25% to 50%, with an August 27 enforcement deadline firmly in place.
Washington’s strategy is aimed at pushing Russian President Vladimir Putin towards negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine by squeezing Moscow’s energy trade.
New Delhi, however, has denounced the so-called secondary sanctions as unjust and has forcefully reiterated its commitment to protecting national interests.
Modi’s Response To Trump Tariffs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Monday that India would not sacrifice the interests of farmers and small enterprises in the face of U.S. tariff pressure.
His comments came as the looming 50% import duties cast a long shadow over bilateral trade ties.
“For me, the priorities of our farmers, cattle rearers, and small-scale industries are non-negotiable. The external pressure may mount further, but India will endure and stand firm,” Modi stated during a public address in Ahmedabad, where he inaugurated a series of civic initiatives.
The prime minister also invoked India’s resilience, drawing inspiration from ‘Chakradhaari’ Lord Krishna and ‘Charkhadhari’ Mahatma Gandhi, symbols of both divine protection and self-reliant struggle.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday mounted a strong defence of India’s energy policy, emphasising that New Delhi would continue to take decisions rooted in national interest and the principle of strategic autonomy.
He contended that the U.S. tariff controversy was being misleadingly portrayed as an “oil dispute,” stressing that India had been unfairly singled out.
Jaishankar pointed out that the same criticism regarding Russian energy purchases had not been directed at larger importers such as China or several European countries.
(With inputs from IBNS)
