Trump Blasts India’s Trade Practices, Calls Zero-Tariff Offer ‘Too Late’ as U.S. Hikes Duties to 50%

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of India on Sept. 1, dismissing New Delhi’s offer to cut tariffs on American products to zero as “too late” and blasting decades of what he called a “one-sided disaster” in trade.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused India of reaping the benefits of massive exports to the United States while U.S. businesses were locked out of India’s markets by “the most severe tariffs of any country.” He noted that while India has now offered to slash tariffs to nothing, the gesture comes years too late. “They should have done so years ago,” Trump wrote.

Washington’s Tariff Pressure

Tensions have been building for months. Washington initially imposed a 26 percent tariff on Indian imports in April to pressure New Delhi into lowering trade barriers. The rate was later revised to 25 percent, but Trump followed through on threats to add another 25 percent levy in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and weapons.

That additional penalty took effect in late August, meaning U.S. tariffs on Indian goods now stand at a steep 50 percent. The new duties hit key Indian exports such as textiles, gems, footwear, and machinery, though pharmaceuticals and electronics were spared. Analysts warn the measures could cost India between $55-60 billion in lost exports.

India’s tariffs against U.S. products, meanwhile, have long been a sticking point in Washington. A U.S. Trade Representative report found average Indian duties exceed 113 percent and can reach as high as 300 percent on sensitive farm goods. Agricultural products face average tariffs of 39 percent, with U.S. exporters also hampered by non-tariff barriers such as strict dairy certifications, non-GMO rules, and complex customs regulations.

Energy Trade With Russia

Adding fuel to the fire is India’s deepening partnership with Moscow. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bilateral trade between India and Russia has surged to nearly $69 billion, driven largely by oil. India now accounts for roughly one-third of Russia’s crude exports, much of it purchased at sanctions-driven discounts.

While the G7 imposed a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian crude in late 2024, global oil prices have since fallen, blunting the impact. India has swapped nearly a million barrels per day of higher-cost crude from the U.S., South America, and Africa for cheaper Russian supplies, according to energy economist Anas Alhajji.

Trump and his advisers argue that these imports are undermining Western sanctions and financing Moscow’s war machine. In August, Trump accused India of “profiteering” by reselling discounted Russian oil at a markup, while White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said India’s conduct was harming U.S. interests.

New Delhi has rejected the criticism. “Our oil imports from Russia are aimed at securing affordable energy for 1.5 billion people,” an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told The Epoch Times, calling the U.S. claims “unjustified and unreasonable.”

Modi and Putin Highlight Ties

Just hours before Trump’s remarks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China. Modi called India’s relationship with Russia “special and privileged,” while Putin hailed Modi as a “dear friend” and praised their nations’ “warm and long-lasting” partnership.

Modi also touched on the Ukraine conflict, saying that “we need to find a way” to end the war quickly and achieve a “permanent peace.” Putin, meanwhile, is expected to travel to India in December for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit, underscoring the durability of ties that continue to irritate Washington.

For now, Trump’s sweeping tariffs remain in place despite ongoing legal challenges in U.S. courts. With appeals likely to stretch into October, American businesses and Indian exporters alike face weeks of uncertainty as trade friction intensifies between the two democracies.

Latest Worthy News