Last Updated: October 1, 2026
Last Updated: October 1, 2026
Washington, August 8: US President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate a trade deal with India. Trump said that the talks will not begin until the tariff dispute is resolved.
Earlier, media reports had said that a team of US officials would be visiting India this month to negotiate a trade deal with India.
The total US tariff on India has now reached 50%. Trump had increased the tariff by 25% by signing an executive order on Wednesday. The increased tariff will come into effect from August 27.
Apart from this, 25% tariff has been imposed on India from Thursday. Trump’s order states that this action has been taken against India because of the purchase of Russian oil.
Trump’s adviser calls India tariff king
Trump’s advisor Peter Navarro has called India the ‘Maharaja of Tariffs’.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Navarro said that India imposes the highest tariff and non-tariff barriers in the world on American goods. This makes it difficult for American products to enter the Indian market.
Navarro said that India uses US dollars to buy Russian oil. Then Russia uses those dollars to make weapons, which are killing people in Ukraine.
Then American taxpayers have to spend on weapons to defend Ukraine. The math isn’t right.
On the question of not taking similar action against China, Navarro said that there are already more than 50% tariffs on China. We do not want to take any step that will harm us.
Warnings of imposing secondary sanctions on India
Trump has warned of imposing more sanctions on India. While answering questions from reporters on Wednesday night, he said,
“It’s only been 8 hours. There’s still a lot to happen. A lot of secondary sanctions are coming.”
Trump gave this answer to a question about imposing 25% extra tariff on India. Trump was asked why America took strict action only on India, while other countries like China are also buying oil from Russia.
What are secondary sanctions?
These are sanctions that are not imposed directly on a country, but due to its trade relations with a third country. That is, instead of directly targeting India, America can take strict action against those companies and banks that are involved in buying oil from Russia.
India has continued to buy cheap crude oil from Russia despite the Russia-Ukraine war. America has been pressuring India for this decision for a long time. However, India has always said that its energy needs are linked to its national interest.
Foreign Ministry said – American action is illegal
The Indian Foreign Ministry has termed this action as wrong.
The ministry issued a statement on Wednesday night and said-
“The US has recently targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made it clear that we buy oil based on market conditions and the aim is to ensure energy security for 1.4 billion Indians. It is very unfortunate that the US is imposing additional tariffs on India, while many other countries are doing the same thing in their own interest. We reiterate that these steps are unfair, illegitimate and wrong. India will take every necessary step to protect its national interests.”
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