Trump Targets India and Russia with Tariffs and Sharp Criticism

In a heated post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at India and Russia, accusing them of dragging down global trade.

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump wrote, in what is being viewed as one of his most confrontational statements to date.

Trump also warned former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to “watch his words,” suggesting he’s entering “very dangerous territory.” The president emphasized that the U.S. has “almost no business” with Russia and would continue to treat it as a hostile economic player.

25% Tariffs and Energy Sanctions on India

Just hours before his statement, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Indian imports, set to begin August 1. He justified the decision by citing India’s “very high” trade barriers and restrictive practices.

Alongside the tariffs, Trump revealed an additional penalty targeting India’s energy trade—specifically its ongoing purchases of Russian oil and military equipment. The White House called this a retaliatory move in response to India’s refusal to distance itself from Russia during the Ukraine conflict.

Why It Matters

Trump’s aggressive tone follows months of failed trade negotiations with India. His administration now hopes the tariffs will create leverage in future talks. According to insiders, this could be a key strategy heading into 2025 election season.

India and Russia have long maintained strong defense and energy ties. From 2020 to 2024:

• Russia supplied nearly 38% of India’s arms imports
• India accounted for around one-third of Russia’s oil exports in 2024

India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine war has drawn repeated criticism from U.S. officials, who argue it weakens Western sanctions on Moscow.

Market and Industry Reaction

Financial markets reacted quickly:

• The Indian rupee dropped by 0.3%
• Indian equities opened lower

Several Indian industry leaders from textiles, gems, and electronics sectors voiced concern over the economic fallout. Many warned the tariffs could reduce export competitiveness and hurt India’s GDP if not addressed quickly.

Broader Trade Crackdown

India wasn’t the only target. Trump also announced:

• 40–50% tariffs on Brazil
• 15% tariffs on South Korea
• Closure of the “de minimis” loophole for low-value imports

These sweeping changes suggest a broader effort to reshape global trade under Trump’s “America First” agenda—putting pressure on emerging markets that rely on U.S. consumer demand.