India Won't Bend as US Slaps Fresh Tariff

Trump slaps another 25% levy; India vows to defend interest

- Dhirendra Kumar [e-mail] NEW DELHI

New Delhi on Wednesday said it will take "all actions necessary" to protect its national interests, after the US imposed an extra 25% tariff on India for continuing to import Russian oil. The move came hours after a failed US effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

While declaring a 25% tariff on India two days earlier, US President Donald Trump had said he would add a penalty for India's Russian trade, which he claimed was fueling Russia's war machine. "I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing oil from the Russian Federation," Trump's latest executive order said.

With the latest announcement, total tariffs on Indian goods entering the US touches 50%, disadvantaging India against rivals who face relatively lower tariffs. Sectors such as apparel, auto components, leather goods, and certain food exports to the US are expected to be the worst-hit by Trump's serial tariffs on India. The additional tariff takes effect in 21 days.