“Will Secure Our National Interest”: India on Trump Tariffs

• India’s Commerce Ministry stated it is “studying the implications” of Donald Trump’s 25% tariff plus penalty on Indian goods.
• The Ministry reaffirmed India’s commitment to negotiating a fair bilateral trade agreement and securing its national interest.
• Trump’s tariffs, effective August 1, target India’s high trade barriers and its continued purchases of Russian weapons and energy.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi,30th July: In its first official response following US President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods, coupled with an unspecified “penalty,” the Indian government stated it is “studying its implications” and affirmed its commitment to taking all necessary steps to “secure our national interest.”

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a measured statement on Wednesday evening, contrasting sharply with President Trump’s assertive declarations. The Ministry acknowledged the US President’s statement on bilateral trade and emphasized that India remains dedicated to negotiating a “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement” with the United States. It also highlighted that these trade negotiations have been ongoing for several months.

“The Government has taken note of a statement by the US President on bilateral trade. The Government is studying its 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 Ministry’s statement read.

Underscoring the Centre’s priority, the Ministry stressed its “utmost importance on protecting and promoting the welfare of” Indian farmers, entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It also referenced India’s recently concluded Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom as an example of safeguarding national interests in trade agreements. “The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK,” the statement added.

Earlier, President Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, announced the 25% tariff and a “penalty,” citing India’s significant purchases of oil and military equipment from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He criticized India’s “far too high” tariffs and “most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” while paradoxically referring to India as a “US friend.”

“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country. Also, 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! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!” Trump wrote. He followed with another short post reiterating, “WE HAVE A MASSIVE TRADE DEFICIT WITH INDIA!!!”