Why Trump plans to hit India with ‘worst-case’ 25% tariffs

WorldPolitics
30 Jul 2025 • 9:14 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • US President Donald Trump has stated he will impose 25 per cent tariffs, plus an unspecified penalty, on India from 1 August.
  • Trump cited India's military and energy ties with Russia, alongside its protectionist trade policies, as reasons for the impending tariffs.
  • New Delhi and Washington are scheduled to resume trade negotiations next month, with India hoping to finalise a deal by September or October to boost bilateral trade to $500bn by 2030.
  • An Indian government official described the potential steep tariffs as a "worst-case scenario" but expressed confidence that a trade deal would soon be reached.
  • India has offered to reduce tariffs on various US goods and ease non-tariff barriers, though it considers its agriculture and dairy sectors "no-go" areas for negotiations.

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