Trump Doubles Tariffs on Indian Imports Over Russian Oil Trade

In a move that signals rising tensions between Washington and New Delhi, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order doubling tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, citing India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

The new 25% tariff, which adds to an earlier 25% announced last week, is set to take effect in 21 days. This is the first time the U.S. has imposed what are being termed “secondary tariffs” on a Russian trading partner, a measure Trump had warned of if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree to a ceasefire.

Talks between India and the U.S. have recently failed to result in a trade deal, leading to what analysts are calling the most serious diplomatic rift between the two countries in recent years. Trump’s administration has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine and is applying pressure on nations that continue economic ties with Moscow.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit China later this month for the first time in over seven years — a move that adds another layer of complexity to the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Despite a last-ditch diplomatic meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin on August 6, it remains unclear whether Russia has shown enough signs of de-escalation for Trump to reconsider the sanctions and tariffs.

Trump stated the meeting was “highly productive” and expressed hope for peace, but reinforced that consequences would follow if progress isn’t seen by the August 8 deadline he previously set.