Trump Escalates Trade War: US Slaps 50% Tariffs on Indian Imports, Modi Hits Back with Strong Assurance to Farmers and Small Businesses

Washington: In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, the US Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced the implementation of a staggering 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports. The move follows President Donald Trump’s executive order that initially imposed a 25 per cent levy, later doubled with the claim that India was “fuelling the Ukraine war” by purchasing oil from Russia.

The White House clarified that the new tariff regime would take effect from 12:01 AM EDT on August 27, 2025, and would directly impact Indian products “entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption.”

Trump’s team argued that this aggressive step is part of his broader strategy to choke Russia’s oil revenues and pressure President Vladimir Putin into peace negotiations with Ukraine.

India, however, wasted no time in pushing back. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) blasted the move as “unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing that the US action was both “unfair and inappropriate.”

“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” the MEA stated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a massive public rally in Ahmedabad, delivered a strong message of resilience. Without naming Trump directly, he assured that India’s small entrepreneurs, farmers, and livestock keepers would remain protected despite mounting international pressure.

“Today in the world, everyone is busy doing politics based on economic interests. From this land of Ahmedabad, I will tell my small entrepreneurs, my small shopkeeper brothers and sisters, my farmer brothers and sisters, my animal husbandry brothers and sisters and I am saying this on the land of Gandhi… For everyone, I promise you again and again, your interests are paramount for Modi. My government will never let any harm come to the small entrepreneurs, farmers, and animal keepers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand. Today, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is getting a lot of energy from Gujarat and behind this are two decades of hard work,” Modi said.