President Donald Trump has officially doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, targeting New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil amid escalating geopolitical tensions. This latest move, announced on August 6, 2025, marks a significant intensification of U.S. pressure on India to sever economic ties with Russia following Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

The White House issued an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods entering the United States, raising the total duty from the initial 25% set to begin just days earlier, to a cumulative 50%. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect within 21 days from the announcement, applying broadly across sectors including textiles, footwear, gems, and jewelry, although exemptions exist for sensitive categories like pharmaceuticals, steel, and semiconductors.

Trump’s order cites national security and foreign policy concerns, declaring India’s imports of Russian oil—whether direct or indirect—as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. interests. The White House statement emphasizes that this measure is designed to penalize any nation that supports Russia’s war effort by providing it with vital revenue through energy purchases.

India has vehemently condemned the action, calling it “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The Indian Ministry of External Affairs underscored that its oil imports from Russia were driven by market factors and the imperative to ensure energy security for its population of 1.4 billion people. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests,” while reiterating that imports were part of a broader strategy amid global supply shifts due to the war.

Trade relations between the world’s largest democracy and the United States, valued at nearly $190 billion in 2024, now face their most severe crisis since Trump’s return to office earlier this year. Analysts warn that these steep tariffs threaten to drastically curb Indian exports to the U.S. by 40-50%, disrupting industries critical to India’s economy and employment.

S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, described the impact as “a severe setback” that could reverberate through key sectors heavily reliant on the American market. Former Indian trade official Ajay Srivastava criticized the move as “hypocritical,” citing that China, which imports more Russian oil than India, was notably excluded from this penalty.

Trump’s tariff expansion comes amid stalled trade negotiations and sharp rhetoric, with the U.S. president recently describing India’s economy as “dead” and accusing it of profiting from Russia’s aggression while disregarding Ukrainian suffering. Meanwhile, India is reportedly preparing for a strategic visit to China, indicating a possible shift in alliances as Washington-Delhi relations sour.

Energy markets reacted swiftly, with oil prices edging up following the tariff announcement, reflecting uncertainty over global supply chains and geopolitical pressures. U.S. officials have hinted that additional tariffs might extend to other countries continuing Russian oil imports, although no immediate actions were confirmed for nations like China.

Experts emphasize that Trump’s trade escalation serves as part of a broader attempt to reduce U.S. trade deficits and discourage support for Russia’s war economy, but it risks alienating key partners and complicating diplomatic efforts.

India’s Ambassador to Washington remarked, “India seeks to maintain balanced relations based on mutual respect and understanding. We hope to resolve these issues through dialogue and cooperation.”

In summary, the doubling of U.S. tariffs on Indian goods highlights rising tensions over Russian oil imports, posing significant economic and diplomatic challenges. The next steps will involve diplomatic negotiations to ease trade hostilities, potential Indian retaliatory measures, and close monitoring of the tariffs’ impact on bilateral trade and global energy markets.