Trump Targets India-Russia Ties, Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports

U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with strong remarks against India and Russia, criticizing their growing strategic ties and announcing a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports, effective August 1. The tariff move comes amid escalating tensions over India’s continued trade and defense engagement with Russia.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” He accused India of maintaining excessively high tariffs and claimed that bilateral trade remains limited due to unfair barriers. Trump’s comments follow India’s recent procurement of military hardware and energy resources from Moscow, which Washington views as undermining global sanctions against Russia.

The White House clarified that the new tariffs aim to “rebalance” trade terms and penalize India for “strategic misalignment.” Trump also directed sharp criticism at former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, warning him to “watch his words,” after Medvedev reportedly criticized Trump’s stance on Ukraine and NATO.

India responded cautiously, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating it had “noted” the U.S. President’s remarks and remains committed to pursuing a balanced and mutually beneficial trade partnership with the United States.

The tariff announcement has triggered economic and political ripples in India. Domestic markets opened lower, the rupee weakened, and opposition parties accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to safeguard national interests. Economists warn that the trade restrictions could shave up to 0.4% off India’s GDP growth in the short term.

Amid growing global uncertainty, analysts note that Trump’s tariff move may be aimed at consolidating his hardline foreign policy image ahead of the U.S. presidential race, while straining ties with key Asian partners like India.