Listeners, today’s breaking story is the dramatic escalation in tariffs between the United States under President Donald Trump and India, which has put bilateral trade and diplomatic relations under severe strain. As of this week, the US has imposed a staggering 50% tariff on Indian goods—the highest rate applied to any major trading partner other than Brazil, according to ScanX Trade and NDTV reports. These tariffs began with a 25% “reciprocal” duty targeting Indian exports, but quickly doubled after India signaled its intention to continue purchasing Russian oil, defying US demands to restrict those imports.

The Trump administration has justified these actions as a way to punish what it sees as unfair Indian trade policies and India’s refusal to stop buying Russian oil. However, investigative reporting by outlets like the Times of India and the Hindustan Times suggest the real motive may be less about oil and more about Trump’s personal displeasure over being denied a mediating role in the India-Pakistan conflict. That, combined with increasingly antagonistic rhetoric from US officials—calling India’s economy ‘dead’ and labeling the Ukraine conflict ‘Modi’s war’—has soured relations further.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded with restraint but determination, telling Indian media that pressure from Trump’s tariffs will not deter India’s strategic choices or economic priorities. According to India’s Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi has “effectively walked away from trade talks,” judging the tariffs to be “unjustified.” Yet, government sources confirm channels of informal communication remain open for possible future negotiations on a broader trade deal.

Meanwhile, prominent commentators and former diplomats have criticized Trump’s approach. Fareed Zakaria, Nikki Haley, and Kenneth Juster have all warned that these unilateral tariffs represent a major setback in US-India relations, undermining decades of bipartisan progress and making it harder for both countries to counter the growing power of China. NDTV panelists have called the US actions “bullying,” arguing that treating a major nation like India as if it were a subordinate is counterproductive and divisive.

Importantly, a US appeals court has just declared President Trump’s tariff measures illegal, ruling that such action exceeds presidential authority and should fall to Congress. Relief for Indian exporters, however, depends on the Supreme Court’s final decision, which might not come until early 2026, meaning these 50% duties will remain in place for months. Experts like Abhijit Das of the Centre for WTO Studies say this is a “moral victory” for India and like-minded countries, but for now, Indian producers and shippers will continue to face these severe trade barriers.

India’s government is working on steps to protect exporters and boost domestic demand to cushion the impact. Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Thakur has expressed confidence that India’s fiscal targets remain achievable, despite mounting trade tensions.

Listeners, with the impact of these tariffs still unfolding, and courts and diplomats locked in high-stakes debate, the next few months could be decisive for India-US trade relations. Stay tuned and subscribe for the next update on India Tariff News and Tracker. Thanks for tuning in; this has been a quiet please production. For more, check out quiet please dot ai.

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