Article:In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump announced thatthe United States will reduce tariffs on Indian goods by 50%, followingwhat he described as “constructive steps” by India to lower its reliance onRussian oil.
“Right now, tariffs on India are very high because of Russian oil. Theyhave reduced purchases from Russia. So yeah, we will be bringing thetariffs on India down,” Trump said during a press briefing at the WhiteHouse.
The move marks a thaw in trade relations between Washington and New Delhi,which had been strained since the escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine.The U.S. had repeatedly urged India to diversify away from discountedRussian crude, warning of potential economic repercussions.
Sources in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India’soil imports from Russia have seen a “notable decline” over the past fewmonths. Analysts suggest this policy recalibration could be aimed atstrengthening ties with the United States amid growing regional and globalgeopolitical shifts.
The tariff reduction is expected to benefit several key Indian exportsectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology goods.Economists believe the move could also open doors for renewed bilateraltrade talks and potential defense and energy collaborations.
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While the announcement has been welcomed by Indian trade officials, someexperts remain cautious, emphasizing that the details of the tariffrollback and its implementation timeline are yet to be finalized.
The White House is expected to release an official memorandum outlining thespecifics of the tariff reduction later this week.
