The 26% tariff on imports, as Donald Trump announced, is set to take effect on April 9
GUWAHATI, April 3: US President Donald Trump Wednesday announced the implementation of a 26% tariff on imports from India as part of a broader strategy to address trade imbalances and promote domestic manufacturing.
The announcement about the sweeping new reciprocal tariffs was made as part of his ‘Liberation Day’ announcement event in the Rose Garden of the White House.
“My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day, waiting for a long time. April 2nd, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to Make America Wealthy Again,” President Donald Trump said.
Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘a great friend’ but added that the country was ‘not treating us right’.
“Their Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) just left (US recently). He is a great friend of mine, but I said to him that ‘you’re a friend of mine, but you’ve not been treating us right’. India charges us 52 per cent, so we will charge them half of that – 26 per cent,” he said.
This tariff is set to take effect on April 9, 2025.
The tariff on India is part of a two-tier structure introduced by the Trump administration. A universal 10% tariff will be applied to all imports, with additional country-specific rates based on perceived trade imbalances. India’s 26% tariff reflects the administration’s view of India’s high tariffs on American goods.
President Trump referred to these measures as “discounted reciprocal tariffs,” suggesting they are approximately half of the tariffs that these countries impose on U.S. products. He emphasized that the goal is to encourage fairer trade practices and reduce the U.S. trade deficit.
In response, Indian officials have described the tariff as a “mixed bag” and not necessarily a setback. The Indian commerce ministry is currently assessing the potential impact of these tariffs on various sectors.
The implementation of these tariffs has raised concerns among economists and industry leaders about potential disruptions to global supply chains, increased consumer prices, and the possibility of escalating trade tensions. The global reaction has been one of concern, with markets plummeting and nations preparing diplomatic or retaliatory responses.
