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President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on imports from India starting August 1, along with an additional, unspecified penalty.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump criticised India’s trade practices, describing the country’s tariffs as excessively high and accusing it of maintaining some of the most restrictive non-monetary trade barriers globally. He also pointed to India’s reliance on Russian military equipment and energy, calling it inappropriate amid ongoing international pressure on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine.
India’s commerce ministry, which leads trade talks with Washington, has yet to comment on the decision. The move undermines ongoing negotiations between the two countries aimed at reaching a limited trade agreement. Despite several rounds of talks, Indian officials have resisted opening up domestic markets to U.S. agricultural exports, citing concerns for millions of local farmers.
The new U.S. tariffs are expected to affect Indian exports worth approximately $87 billion in 2024, particularly in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, and petrochemicals. The U.S. currently runs a $45.7 billion trade deficit with India.
India is now among several countries facing steeper tariffs under Trump’s 'Liberation Day' trade policy, which seeks to reorient American trade relations by demanding more equitable terms.
While Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously pledged to finalise a phase-one trade deal by autumn 2025 and expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, this announcement casts doubt on those goals.
The White House has consistently raised concerns over India’s average tariffs, particularly in agriculture with rates nearing 39%, and even higher on items such as vegetable oils, apples, and corn.
The development may prompt retaliatory measures from India, potentially affecting U.S. exports of manufactured goods and energy products. Indian officials have acknowledged the strategic value of ties with the U.S., especially in countering China, but remain firm on retaining policy flexibility in sectors such as agriculture, data regulation, and state subsidies.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners, under long-standing bilateral agreements, according to official statements from both countries.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
Russian airstrikes have devasted apartment buildings in a residential area of Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, injuring at least 25 people according to the local governor.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
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