US President Trump slaps 25 % tariffs on Iran trade partners
Currently, in the absence of a trade agreement with Washington, Indian exports are already confronting a steep 50% US tariff.
PTC News Desk: It appears that whenever an international crisis erupts—whether in Iran or Ukraine—US President Donald Trump somehow finds an excuse to take aim at India.
Barely hours after US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor praised India as America’s “most essential partner,” Trump announced a fresh 25% tariff on all nations trading with crisis-stricken Iran—a decision that is expected to hit New Delhi particularly hard. India, one of Iran’s top five trading partners, could now see US import duties on its goods climb to an alarming 75%.
As Iran faces its most significant anti-regime demonstrations in years, Trump tightened restrictions further, declaring that any country conducting business with Tehran would “immediately” be subjected to a 25% tariff on trade with the US. “This order is final and conclusive,” he stated.
Currently, in the absence of a trade agreement with Washington, Indian exports are already confronting a steep 50% US tariff. Alongside a 25% retaliatory duty, Trump has added another 25% penalty on India for continuing to buy Russian oil. Combined, these measures could push total tariffs on Indian goods entering the US to 75%. On top of this, a proposed US bill seeks to impose a staggering 500% tariff on nations that continue purchasing Russian oil despite sanctions—a bill Trump has already signed, targeting countries such as India, China, and Brazil.
New Delhi, however, maintains deep economic and strategic ties with Tehran. These include energy imports and the development of the crucial Chabahar Port, which provides India a direct route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.
TIMING RAISES QUESTIONS
Although China remains Iran’s largest trading partner, Trump’s move carries broader implications for India beyond the economic sphere. What raises eyebrows is the timing: the announcement came just hours before Indian and US officials were set to resume discussions on the long-pending bilateral trade agreement.
Many analysts see this latest tariff threat as yet another attempt by Washington to pressure India into conceding to US demands during negotiations.
Recent comments by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have also illustrated Trump’s willingness to penalize any country that refuses to comply with his expectations or flatter his ego.