Trump Slaps 50% Tariff on Indian Goods Over Russian Oil Imports

The United States has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50%, over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to impose the new tariff which will take effect in 21 days.

The order cites India’s direct and indirect importation of Russian oil as the reason for the tariff.

Trump noted that he received additional information from senior officials on the actions of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine, which led to the decision to impose the new duties.

“I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine,” the order notes.

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits.

“They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” Trump wrote on social media.

The announcement came hours after Trump’s foreign envoy Steve Witkoff concluded a meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had earlier threatened India with new tariffs, saying they were helping Russia wage war in Ukraine.

India has responded to the threat, saying it is being unfairly targeted by the US and European Union for importing oil from Russia.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the country began importing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by the global market situation,” a statement from the ministry’s spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read.

The new tariff will be added on top of a separate 25% tariff entering into force on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The combined penalties would bring the total tariff on goods imported from India to 50%, among the highest the US charges.

Some items, such as steel and aluminum, are exempt from the new tariff due to separate sector-specific duties.