Trump threatens big hike in tariffs for India amid stalled trade talks
發佈日期: 2025-08-05 20:17
TVB News
U.S. President Donald Trump once again threatened to raise tariffs on India, even higher than the 25 percent level announced last month.
Several rounds of trade talks have been held between the two sides over the past few weeks, yet officials in New Delhi remain noncommittal about granting U.S. tariff concessions on agriculture and dairy products.
According to a presidential executive order at the end of July, U.S. levies on India will be subject to a 25 percent tariff starting on August 7th.
On top of that, Donald Trump indicated that he will impose secondary penalties for India owing to its business dealings with Russia.
In a social media post on Monday morning, Trump threatened steeper taxes on Indian imports.
He accused the South Asian nation of profiting from buying and reselling massive amounts of discounted Russian oil while ignoring the human toll of the Ukraine war.
Later on Monday, a spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs called the targeting of India "unjustified and unreasonable," saying "the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia."
He claimed that its energy imports from Russia were meant to ensure affordable and predictable fuel prices. He added Washington had even encouraged India's purchases following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict "as a way to stabilise global energy markets."
Meanwhile, in Brazil, producers of coffee, one of the country's key export commodities, are bracing for U.S. tariffs as high as 50 percent. The new rate is expected to come into effect tomorrow unless progress is made in trade talks.
Beijing recently granted approval to 183 Brazilian companies to export coffee to the Chinese market, offering a glimmer of hope for industry leaders who are turning their eyes to Asia.
The chorus of concern also grows inside the United States where shoppers are feeling the pinch of higher prices.
A new poll found roughly half of American adults say the cost of groceries is a "major" stress factor.
A resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: "The prices seem to go up every week, every month. But every time I come, I see the difference in the price, especially fruits."
The U.S. July jobs reports released on Friday showed rising unemployment rate and weakness in job growth, adding only 73,000 jobs for the month.
