US Imposes 50% Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil, Trade Disputes

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing India's continued purchase of Russian oil as a national security concern. White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro explained that India’s use of American dollars to buy Russian oil indirectly supports Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, which is unacceptable to the U.S. India has been described as having high tariffs and non-tariff barriers that limit American goods, exacerbating trade tensions. Indian political leaders, such as TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, attribute the tariffs to failures in the Modi government’s foreign policy and warn of significant economic impacts on sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. While India has expressed a willingness to negotiate on tariffs for some U.S. farm products, it remains firm on its stance regarding Russian oil purchases, with Prime Minister Modi stating a readiness to bear a heavy price for protecting domestic interests. The situation poses a complex challenge for India, balancing trade negotiations with geopolitical and economic considerations.