US issues notice imposing additional 25% tariffs on India from August 27

The additional 25% tariffs on Indian imports have been formally announced by the US in a public notice, and they will go into force on August 27 at 12:01 a.m. (EST).

According to the letter, which was sent by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division of the Department of Homeland Security, the tariffs are in effect as a result of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14329, which was signed on August 6.

The order directed US agencies to respond to “threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation,” with India being targeted for new duties as part of that policy. US President Donald Trump also signalled that he could impose additional tariffs on countries trading with Russia or impose additional sanctions on Moscow if a deal fails to materialise.

He warned of “very big consequences” in the coming weeks if no progress is made. In August this year, Trump slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff, raising the overall levy to 50 per cent on goods coming from India, as a penalty for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The so-called secondary tariffs have been denounced as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable” by Indian officials, who also expect that the necessity for the higher taxes will be eliminated if peace negotiations advance.

India called the US decision to raise overall tariffs to 50% “extremely unfortunate” and reaffirmed that it will take all necessary steps to protect its national interest. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that his government will find a solution despite Washington’s economic pressure.

“No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it. Today, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is getting a lot of energy from Gujarat and behind this are two decades of hard work…,” PM Modi said while speaking at a public address in Ahmedabad.