Trump announces 25% US tariff on India 'for buying Russian weapons and energy'

US President says India has world's most 'obnoxious' trade barriers

President Donald Trump described India as 'our friend' but said its tariffs on US goods 'are far too high'. Reuters

The US will impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from India as well as a “penalty” for buying Russian energy and military hardware, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.

In a message on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump accused India of enabling the war in Ukraine through its purchases from Russia.

“They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine – all things not good!” Mr Trump wrote.

He also accused India of having the world's most “strenuous and obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers and said the penalty would start on Friday.

Mr Trump not specify what the additional penalty would be, but this week said he would place additional sanctions on Russia unless it complies with his demand to end the war in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump posted this message on Truth Social on Wednesday

The Indian embassy in Washington referred The National to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry that said New Delhi had "taken note" of Mr Trump's comments and was studying the implications.

"India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective," the statement read, adding that India would take "all steps necessary" to secure its national interest.

The Census Bureau reported that the US ran a $45.8 billion trade imbalance in goods with India last year, meaning it imported more than it exported.

India is the world’s most populous country, with more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, and a possible geopolitical counterbalance to China.

India and Russia have close relations, and New Delhi has not supported western sanctions on Moscow.

US President Donald Trump with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in February. Reuters