How India ended up facing steep US tariffs despite its strategic
partnership
[August 07, 2025]
NEW DELHI (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed additional 25%
tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined
tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. India has
called the additional tariffs “unfortunate.”
Trump's Wednesday announcement came as India and the U.S. are still
negotiating a trade deal that has faced roadblocks after it was first
announced when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump in
Washington earlier this year.
It also comes at a time when ties between India and the U.S. appear to
have taken a hit even as Modi and Trump share a warm relationship.
Here is how India, a strategic partner of the U.S. in Asia, ended up
facing steep tariffs:
February
Trump imposes tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. He initially spares
India, despite repeatedly calling the country a “tariff king," but
threatens that high tariffs are coming.
February 14
Modi meets Trump in Washington in an effort to resolve trade concerns.
Trump again warns of higher U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.
India and the U.S. agree to work on a trade deal and expand bilateral
trade to $500 billion by 2030. They don't share details as to how the
target would be achieved.
Modi says he expects a deal to be completed later this year.
March 3
India’s trade minister, Piyush Goyal, visits Washington and meets his
counterparts to initiate negotiations for the bilateral trade agreement.
April 21
U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets Modi in New Delhi and says both sides
are making progress on trade talks.
India and the U.S. also finalize the terms of reference for the trade
negotiation, bringing them a step closer to an agreement.
[to top of second column] |
A worker stocks products at New India Bazar, where most merchandise
is imported from India and Canada, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in
Fremont, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
 May 10
Trump says he stopped military hostilities between India and
Pakistan by offering possible trade concessions to both. India is
angered by Trump’s claims and disputes them.
May 17
Trade minister Goyal leads a team of senior Indian officials to
Washington for more negotiations. India’s commerce secretary says
the proposed bilateral trade agreement is progressing “very well.”
June 27
Trump signals a deal may be close. “We’re having some great deals.
We have one coming up, maybe with India, a very big one, where we’re
going to open up India,” he says.
July
An Indian trade delegation visits Washington for another round of
discussions, which end without reaching a breakthrough.
July
Goyal says India is ready to make trade deals in “the national
interest,” but not just to meet deadlines.
July 31
Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Indian imports. He warns of further
penalties for India because of its buying of Russian oil, and calls
its economy “dead.”
August 6
Trump vows an additional 25% import taxes on India to punish the
country for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing combined tariffs
to 50%. The tariffs are set to go into effect after 21 days.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
