Trump Doubles Tariff on India to 50% Over Purchase of Russian Oil

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TI, WASHINGTON, Aug 6, 2025 : In a significant escalation of economic pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50% on most imports from India. The action comes as a direct response to New Delhi’s continued import of crude oil from Russia, a move that Washington argues undermines global sanctions efforts related to the Ukraine conflict.

The U.S. President signed the executive order imposing the new tariffs less than 14 hours before his earlier tariff order was set to take effect. While the initial 25% duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional 25% levy will be enforced 21 days later, effectively doubling the tariff on Indian imports.

The new directive, detailed in a nine-part executive order, outlines the legal justification for the move, referencing Executive Order 14066, which describes a national emergency related to global energy security and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," the order states.

The President's directive also expands on existing U.S. legislation restricting the import of Russian goods, including energy, and frames India's continued oil purchases as detrimental to America's foreign policy goals.

The tariff hike comes just one day after President Trump publicly warned that duties on Indian goods would increase within 24 hours if India did not cease oil imports from Russia.