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Trump's 50% tariff puts strain on India-US trade ties:-Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat
Mumbai, September 12, 2025 - US President Donald Trump has decided to impose a 50% import tariff on India, which is likely to have a serious impact on trade relations between India and the US. The decision has been taken in the wake of India's purchase of Russian oil, which the Trump administration has deemed a "threat to India's economic growth". There are fears that the tariff will have a major impact on India's exports, especially in sectors such as textiles, jewelry, footwear, and seafood.
Background to the tariff
Trump had first announced a 25% "retaliatory" tariff in July 2025, which came into effect from August 7. Subsequently, as India continued to purchase Russian oil, an additional 25% tariff was imposed from August 27. The total 50% tariff is the highest tariff imposed on any US trading partner. Trump has described the decision as the "catastrophic result of a one-sided trade relationship" with India.
India's response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for promoting indigenous products in response to the tariffs. "We should give priority to products made in our country," Modi told a rally. He cited the principles of self-reliance and strength of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Krishna to make India self-reliant. In addition, the Indian government is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on some US goods, especially in the steel and aluminum sectors.
Impact on industries
The tariffs are likely to hit several Indian industries hard. The US is India's largest export market, and it will directly affect sectors such as textiles, jewelry, and seafood. Entrepreneurs and workers fear losing jobs. "We fear losing our jobs," said a textile entrepreneur. Also, the tariffs are likely to increase the prices of Indian products, which will also affect consumers.
Political and social reactions
Commenting on the tariffs, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that other countries are feeling threatened by India's economic growth, and that is why these tariffs have been imposed. He appealed to India to make it self-reliant. On the other hand, India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held talks with US Senator Lindsey Graham, in which he presented India's vision for energy security.
Some US political leaders have expressed concern over the tariffs. MP Gregory Meeks said that Trump's tariffs could jeopardize India-US relations. Also, US economist Jeffrey Sachs said that US politicians do not care about India's long-term security, and these tariffs are against the US constitution.
India's options to consider
Experts say that India will have to consider some options to deal with these tariffs. These include negotiating a trade agreement with the US, promoting indigenous products, and increasing exports to other markets. India may also consider reducing oil purchases from Russia, which could ease pressure from the Trump administration. However, India should take decisions based on its national interests, said former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
Mumbai, September 12, 2025 - US President Donald Trump has decided to impose a 50% import tariff on India, which is likely to have a serious impact on trade relations between India and the US. The decision has been taken in the wake of India's purchase of Russian oil, which the Trump administration has deemed a "threat to India's economic growth". There are fears that the tariff will have a major impact on India's exports, especially in sectors such as textiles, jewelry, footwear, and seafood.
Background to the tariff
Trump had first announced a 25% "retaliatory" tariff in July 2025, which came into effect from August 7. Subsequently, as India continued to purchase Russian oil, an additional 25% tariff was imposed from August 27. The total 50% tariff is the highest tariff imposed on any US trading partner. Trump has described the decision as the "catastrophic result of a one-sided trade relationship" with India.
India's response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for promoting indigenous products in response to the tariffs. "We should give priority to products made in our country," Modi told a rally. He cited the principles of self-reliance and strength of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Krishna to make India self-reliant. In addition, the Indian government is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on some US goods, especially in the steel and aluminum sectors.
Impact on industries
The tariffs are likely to hit several Indian industries hard. The US is India's largest export market, and it will directly affect sectors such as textiles, jewelry, and seafood. Entrepreneurs and workers fear losing jobs. "We fear losing our jobs," said a textile entrepreneur. Also, the tariffs are likely to increase the prices of Indian products, which will also affect consumers.
Political and social reactions
Commenting on the tariffs, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that other countries are feeling threatened by India's economic growth, and that is why these tariffs have been imposed. He appealed to India to make it self-reliant. On the other hand, India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held talks with US Senator Lindsey Graham, in which he presented India's vision for energy security.
Some US political leaders have expressed concern over the tariffs. MP Gregory Meeks said that Trump's tariffs could jeopardize India-US relations. Also, US economist Jeffrey Sachs said that US politicians do not care about India's long-term security, and these tariffs are against the US constitution.
India's options to consider
Experts say that India will have to consider some options to deal with these tariffs. These include negotiating a trade agreement with the US, promoting indigenous products, and increasing exports to other markets. India may also consider reducing oil purchases from Russia, which could ease pressure from the Trump administration. However, India should take decisions based on its national interests, said former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
Background to the tariff
Trump had first announced a 25% "retaliatory" tariff in July 2025, which came into effect from August 7. Subsequently, as India continued to purchase Russian oil, an additional 25% tariff was imposed from August 27. The total 50% tariff is the highest tariff imposed on any US trading partner. Trump has described the decision as the "catastrophic result of a one-sided trade relationship" with India.
India's response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for promoting indigenous products in response to the tariffs. "We should give priority to products made in our country," Modi told a rally. He cited the principles of self-reliance and strength of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Krishna to make India self-reliant. In addition, the Indian government is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on some US goods, especially in the steel and aluminum sectors.
Impact on industries
The tariffs are likely to hit several Indian industries hard. The US is India's largest export market, and it will directly affect sectors such as textiles, jewelry, and seafood. Entrepreneurs and workers fear losing jobs. "We fear losing our jobs," said a textile entrepreneur. Also, the tariffs are likely to increase the prices of Indian products, which will also affect consumers.
Political and social reactions
Commenting on the tariffs, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that other countries are feeling threatened by India's economic growth, and that is why these tariffs have been imposed. He appealed to India to make it self-reliant. On the other hand, India's ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held talks with US Senator Lindsey Graham, in which he presented India's vision for energy security.
Some US political leaders have expressed concern over the tariffs. MP Gregory Meeks said that Trump's tariffs could jeopardize India-US relations. Also, US economist Jeffrey Sachs said that US politicians do not care about India's long-term security, and these tariffs are against the US constitution.
India's options to consider
Experts say that India will have to consider some options to deal with these tariffs. These include negotiating a trade agreement with the US, promoting indigenous products, and increasing exports to other markets. India may also consider reducing oil purchases from Russia, which could ease pressure from the Trump administration. However, India should take decisions based on its national interests, said former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
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