India Stands Firm Against US Tariff Hike, Reaffirms Commitment to National Interest
In a major escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil and its participation in the BRICS bloc.
The Indian government, however, has issued a strong rebuttal, asserting that its actions are driven solely by the energy security and economic stability of its 1.4 billion citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in an official statement, called the move “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable”, pointing out that India’s oil imports are purely market-driven and aimed at ensuring predictable and affordable energy prices for its population.
We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the MEA stated.
The government stressed that India’s trade decisions are rooted in sovereign national interests, not geopolitical pressure. It also criticized the selective targeting of India, noting that several Western nations continue to trade with Russia without facing similar punitive measures.
Unfortunately, the US has chosen to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their national interest. The very nations criticizing India are themselves engaged in trade with Russia—often for reasons far less compelling than ours,” the MEA added.
Trump’s executive order, signed earlier this week, applies the new tariffs from August 1, arguing that India’s duties on American goods are “among the highest in the world.” He also linked the penalty to India’s foreign policy choices, including its alignment with BRICS, which he described as “anti-American.”
India, however, has made it clear that it will not compromise on strategic autonomy, whether in the energy sector, trade partnerships, or multilateral engagements.
Officials underscored that affordable fuel supplies are vital for India’s growth, rural development, and industrial stability—especially amid global supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to India–US relations, which have witnessed both strategic cooperation and friction in recent years.
While New Delhi remains open to dialogue, it has conveyed that coercive trade measures will not deter India from protecting the interests of its citizens and economy.
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