U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil caused a diplomatic rift between the United States and India, calling the policy “not an easy thing to do” and “a big deal.”
The tariffs, which were initially 25% and later elevated to 50%, apply to a wide range of Indian exports, including items like garments, gems and jewellery, footwear, sporting goods, and chemicals. The escalation took effect when New Delhi refused to curtail its Russian oil trade amid Western sanctions against Moscow.
In response to the move, India saw substantial public backlash and a drop in anti-U.S. sentiment, with trade representatives warning of job losses in export industries.
Meanwhile, President Trump said negotiations with India will continue, including planned talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address trade barriers. Critics argue the high tariff could harm both economies, while supporters in the U.S. see it as a necessary step to enforce sanctions on Russia.
