Trump has increased the tariff on India by 50%; India has strongly criticized Trump's action

New Delhi: Trump has increased the tariff on India by 50% to continue buying oil from Russia.  'Unfair, unjust and unreasonable': India has strongly criticized Trump's action of imposing the 50% tariff.

 The Union government has strongly criticized the decision of US President Donald Trump. The action is extremely unfortunate and India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests, the Ministry of External Affairs said. India's energy imports are based on market factors and with the overall objective of ensuring energy security. Therefore, the US action is unfair, unjustifiable and irrational, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India as a penalty for continuing to buy oil from Russia. These duties are in addition to the 25 percent tariff rate announced by Trump last week. 

"Accordingly, in accordance with applicable law, an additional duty rate of 25 percent shall apply to Indian products imported into the customs territory of the United States. This duty rate shall be effective on goods entering for consumption or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. 21 days after the date of issuance of this order, in accordance with Section 3 of this order," the executive order signed by Trump said.

Trump is angered by India's continued purchase of oil from Russia. Trump claims that this money is Russia's main source of income for its war with Ukraine. With the new tariff announcement, India, along with Brazil, is the top country with the highest tariffs imposed by the US. Brazil is also subject to a 50 percent tariff. Switzerland is subject to a 39 percent tariff, Canada is subject to a 35 percent tariff, and China is subject to a 30 percent tariff.

As Trump remains frustrated with talks to secure a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, the US president took aim at India's continued purchase of oil from Russia last week. Trump is also uneasy about the ongoing negotiations for a trade deal between New Delhi and Washington, DC.

The mini-deal was expected to be signed before August 1, but talks stalled over the US' push for greater access to India's agricultural sector. Trump has since publicly expressed his displeasure with India's tariffs and is now targeting oil purchases from Russia.

Earlier this week, India sharply criticized the US for its double standards, noting that trade between Washington, DC and Moscow reached $17.5 billion. India is the second largest importer of Russian oil in the world after China.