Trump: ‘We’re Still Negotiating’ Despite 25% Tariff and Penalty on Indian Imports

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports, Says Trade Talks Still Ongoing.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff along with additional penalties on Indian imports, but confirmed that trade negotiations between the two nations are still underway.

Speaking at a White House press briefing on Wednesday, Trump claimed India remains “one of the highest tariff nations in the world,” citing rates as high as 175%. “We’re talking to them now. We’ll see what happens,” he said, suggesting that a deal remains possible despite the new trade barriers.

Trump Targets BRICS, Calls It ‘Anti-U.S.’
Trump also criticized India’s involvement in BRICS — the economic bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — describing it as “anti-United States” and accusing it of trying to undermine the U.S. dollar. “They have BRICS, which is basically a group of countries that are anti-United States. And India is a member, if you can believe it,” he said. “It’s an attack on the dollar — and we’re not going to let that happen.”

Modi ‘A Friend,’ But Trade Is One-Sided, Says Trump
Despite calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a friend,” Trump criticized India’s trade practices, saying the U.S. imports far more from India than it exports due to high Indian tariffs. “They sell a lot to us. We don’t sell to them — because the tariff is so high,” he said, adding that India is now “willing to cut it very substantially,” though he remained non-committal on whether negotiations would result in a deal.

Official Tariff Announcement on Truth Social
Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social confirming the 25% tariff would take effect from August 1, citing India’s continuing energy and defense ties with Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

“India has the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country,” he wrote. “They’ve always bought military equipment from Russia and are now its biggest energy customer. INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY. STARTING AUGUST 1. MAGA!”

India Responds to Tariff Move
New Delhi issued a measured response, emphasizing that it would safeguard the interests of farmers, small businesses, and exporters while continuing to seek a balanced trade agreement. “India and the U.S. have been engaged in negotiations toward a fair and mutually beneficial trade deal. We remain committed to that process,” the Indian government said in a statement.