Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India for friendship with Russia

The US has imposed a 25% tariff on India. One of the reasons for this decision is India’s position in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

US President Donald Trump announced this on the social network Truth Social. “Although India is our friend, we have done relatively little business with them for many years because their tariffs are too high, some of the highest in the world,” Trump said.

The US President also added: “They have the toughest and most disgusting non-monetary trade barriers of any country.”

“In addition, they have always bought the vast majority of their military equipment from Russia and are the largest buyer of energy for Russia, along with China, while everyone wants Russia to stop killing in Ukraine – all this is not good. Therefore, India will pay a tariff of 25%; plus a fine for the above, starting from August 1,” the US president said.

India is the world’s third largest consumer and importer of oil. It almost never bought Russian oil until 2022, but after the start of full-scale Russian aggression, it became the second largest importer after China.

In September 2024, India’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, stated that as long as Russian oil is not under sanctions, India will buy it due to its low price.

In July 2025, he assured that India could do without Russian oil if the US imposed secondary sanctions against countries that buy it.

Tags: India, USA, duties