India becomes the new target of Donald Trump customs duties

US President Donald Trump has announced on his social social network that Indian products will be the subject of customs duties of 25 % upon arrival in the United States from August 1, and that a “penalty” will be added for the purchase of Russian oil.

We trade with them, because their customs duties are among the highest in the world and the most tiring and odious non -pricing barrierssaid Donald Trump in a message.

We have a massive trade deficit with India!

But India has also Buyed a majority of its military equipment from Russia and is the main Russian oil customer with China, while everyone wants Russia to stop in Ukrainecontinued the tenant of the White House.

A situation which justifies, in the eyes of the American president, a penaltywhich will be added to the 25 %, without more precision, and which will also be applied from August 1.

This new price imposed on Indian products represents a symbolic drop in a percentage point compared to the 26 % initially revealed in early April, on the occasion of the announcement of customs duties presented improperly as being reciprocal par Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, the American president had already given an index by stressing that customs duties on products made in India could be between 20 and 25 %, adding, however, that an agreement was still possible.

Negotiations already underway

New Delhi and Washington have launched negotiations for several months with a view to a trade agreement, without result so far, in particular not wishing to open its market completely to American agricultural products.

At least, we now have certainties on customs duties. We will now see if the exporters [indiens] or American importers may absorb this additional cost or notsaid the Director General of the Indian Federation of Exporting Organizations, Ajay Sahai,AFP.

Where we need clarity is about this penalty. Is it a threat? If India continues to import Russian oil, we will be struck by a penalty? What about some products or everyone?

Russian oil

India is indeed considered to be one of the main Russian oil customers, however under sanction, but a boon from the point of view of New Delhi, which benefits from a lower purchase price while Moscow seeks to finance its war effort in Ukraine.

However, the American president has hardened the tone in recent days, frustrated by the lack of progress for a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and increasingly accusing his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, of not trying to end the conflict.

Donald Trump now threatens countries that buy Russian oil, but also Iranian, of sanctions secondarywhich would take the form of additional customs duties on products from these countries.

China and India are among the first Russian oil buyers.

The customs duties announced at the beginning of April by the American president had been postponed for the first time by 90 days until early July, before a new postponement until August 1.

It was a question, according to Mr. Trump, of giving time to commercial negotiations, the White House ensuring that dozens of agreements would be signed during the period of truce.

So far, only six agreements have been announced, in particular with major trade partners in the United States, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom and Japan, which will therefore see their products taxed up to 15 %.

Washington also announced with the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

But most of these agreements actually concern negotiation frameworks, not signed formal texts, the White House showing itself voluntarily blurred to highlight its successes.

This time, Donald Trump assured on Truth Social that no other postponement would be granted and that the surcharge would actually enter into force.

They are currently planned between 10 %, the minimum threshold for all products entering the United States, and up to 50 %, imposed on Brazilian products.