Trump Punishes India With 50% Tariffs for Buying Russian Oil

Former President Donald Trump has escalated trade tensions with India by imposing sweeping 50% tariffs on most Indian exports to the United States, a move he says is punishment for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The tariffs, which took effect just after midnight Wednesday in Washington, are expected to hit key sectors like textiles, gems, jewelry, and seafood particularly hard, while exempting some products such as smartphones. Economists warn the sharp increase could dampen India’s GDP growth, disrupt global supply chains, and push the country closer to Moscow and Beijing as trade relations with Washington fray. Indian officials, meanwhile, have struck a defiant tone, vowing to keep buying Russian crude and encouraging consumers to double down on “Made in India” goods.