By Atoyebi Nike
US President Donald Trump has approved a fresh round of tariffs targeting Indian exports, citing India’s continued oil trade with Russia. The new measures will raise tariffs on certain goods to 50%, with an additional 25% levy set to take effect in three weeks, following a prior 25% increase scheduled for Thursday.
While some sectors such as steel, aluminium, and pharmaceuticals are currently exempt, the penalties mark an escalation in Washington’s trade tensions with India.
India has denounced the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” Officials argue that the decision ignores the complex energy realities triggered by the war in Ukraine, which prompted India to diversify oil sources after Western buyers redirected their demand to European markets.
New Delhi also pointed out that the US had previously supported such purchases to stabilize global energy supplies.
