Trump Criticizes India-Russia Ties, Confirms 25% Tariff on Indian Imports

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized India’s trade relationship with Russia while confirming new tariffs on Indian goods. In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump stated that the United States has “done very little business with India” and “almost no business” with Russia, adding, “I don’t care what India does with Russia — they can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”

The comments follow his earlier announcement that the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports beginning Friday. The move marks an escalation in trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, as Trump pushes for what he calls “reciprocal” trade deals amid broader tariff measures against multiple countries.

India’s government responded by saying it is reviewing the implications of the tariff hike and remains committed to securing a fair trade agreement with the United States. The announcement comes as India continues significant defense and energy purchases from Russia, a relationship Trump described as “not good” for U.S. interests.

The tariff decision underscores Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape U.S. trade policy and reduce perceived imbalances, particularly with nations maintaining close ties to American rivals. Analysts warn the latest measures could impact sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and automotive parts, key components of India’s exports to the U.S.

The move also adds complexity to U.S.-India relations at a time when Washington has sought deeper cooperation with New Delhi in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. With the new tariffs set to take effect immediately, attention now turns to how India will respond and whether the two nations can negotiate a resolution to avoid further escalation.