US President Donald Trump announced stricter trade measures targeting India on Wednesday, imposing a 25% tariff increase on select Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s continued reliance on Russian oil exports. The decision, set to take effect in three weeks, compounds an existing 25% duty already entering force this Thursday, raising total tariffs on many Indian imports to 50%. This escalation marks a sharp turn in trade relations less than a year after Washington reportedly encouraged India’s energy imports from Russia to stabilize global markets amid the Ukraine conflict.
The move seeks to pressure Moscow by curbing its oil revenue, a key funding source for its military operations in Ukraine. However, exemptions remain for critical sectors, including smartphones—temporarily shielding Apple as it expands manufacturing in India—alongside steel, aluminum, and certain pharmaceutical products. India’s foreign ministry condemned the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” arguing that it turned to Russian energy after traditional suppliers prioritized European demand.
The announcement coincided with reports of India’s national security adviser holding talks in Moscow, while US envoy Steve Witkoff conducted a separate diplomatic visit to the Russian capital. The latest tariff, though lower than a previously floated 100% threat, aligns with Trump’s strategy of “secondary tariffs” aimed at isolating Russia by penalizing its trading partners.
The measures arrive amid broader global trade tensions. Hours before the India announcement, the US raised tariffs on Brazilian goods from 10% to 50%, excluding orange juice and aircraft parts. Starting Thursday, “reciprocal” tariff hikes will affect imports from the EU, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and others, with rates reaching 41% for Syria. Washington justifies these adjustments as responses to perceived unfair trade practices.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter rushed to Washington this week seeking exemptions, securing a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio but not Trump. Switzerland faces a 39% duty on many exports, though its pharmaceutical industry—a vital economic pillar—remains temporarily exempt. The Trump administration has hinted at future tariffs of up to 250% for the sector.
Legal challenges loom over the president’s use of emergency economic powers to enact these measures, with cases expected to reach the Supreme Court. Critics argue the actions risk destabilizing global trade networks, while supporters frame them as necessary to counter Russian aggression and address trade imbalances. As tensions escalate, the ripple effects of these policies are poised to reshape international commerce and diplomatic relations in the months ahead.
