India calls US tariffs as ‘unfair, unjustified, unreasonable’; vows to protect national interest

India has hit back strongly at the United States after President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, owing to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday evening, India called the US action “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” and emphasised its sovereign right to pursue energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens.“The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,” the MEA said.

The statement added, “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”

India reiterated that it would take “all actions necessary to protect its national interests,” signaling possible retaliatory measures or a re-evaluation of trade and diplomatic engagements with the US.Earlier, President Trump announced a 25% ad valorem tariff on a wide range of Indian goods, which will be effective from August 27, 2025—targeting sectors like automobiles, textiles, and jewelry, while exempting pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

The decision was made under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, and is viewed as part of Trump’s broader “America First” trade strategy.

Trump’s order allows for modification if India retaliates, but also leaves room for reversal if India takes what Washington deems “significant steps to sufficiently align” with American interests, particularly on energy and geopolitical issues.

The tariff brings the effective duty rate on certain Indian exports to 50%, the highest applied by the US to any country and equaling that of Brazil.