Tariffs on India: Trump Hints at More Phases of Sanctions

Tariffs on India: In yet another sharp warning, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday hinted at escalating measures against New Delhi, suggesting the possibility of a “Phase-2” and even “Phase-3” of what he described as sanctions on India. The remarks, made during a radio interview and later reiterated at the White House, revived tensions between Washington and New Delhi over trade, tariffs, and India’s purchase of Russian oil.

Trump claimed that his administration’s decision to impose 25% additional tariffs on India had already dealt a heavy blow to Russia’s economy, costing Moscow “billions of dollars.” Referring to his earlier warning, he said:

“That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia, you call that no action? Then I have not done Phase-2 yet or Phase-3. Two weeks ago, I said if India buys, India has got big problems, and that’s what happens.”

Tariffs on India: Trump’s Tariff Philosophy – “I Understand Tariffs Better Than Anyone”

The issue of Donald Trump’s tariffs has been a recurring theme in the former President’s trade policy narrative. On The Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump reiterated that India was once “the most highly tariffed nation in the world.” He claimed that his strategy of imposing tariffs forced India to make an unprecedented offer of a “no tariffs” trade deal.

“China kills us with tariffs, India kills us with tariffs, Brazil kills us with tariffs. I understood tariffs better than any human being in the world,” Trump asserted. “India was the most highly tariffed nation, and you know what, they’ve offered me no tariffs anymore. If I didn’t have tariffs, they would never make that offer.”

U.S.–India Relations: “We Get Along, But It Was One-Sided”

Despite his sharp tone on tariffs, Trump struck a conciliatory note when asked about the broader U.S.–India relationship. Speaking at the White House, he emphasized that Washington and New Delhi “get along very well,” but stressed that the relationship had been “one-sided” for decades.

“India was charging us tremendous tariffs, about the highest in the world,” Trump said. “They were pouring products into our country without tariffs, while we were being charged up to 100% or even 200% in return. That changed when I came in.”

He cited the example of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which faced prohibitive tariffs of up to 200% in India. According to Trump, the U.S. company had no choice but to build a plant in India to avoid such barriers—a move he described as unfair to American manufacturers.

Legal Challenges and Global Pushback

Trump also addressed ongoing legal challenges, noting that a federal appeals court had recently ruled that most of his administration’s tariffs on foreign nations were unlawful. He dismissed the ruling, claiming the case was “sponsored” by other nations taking advantage of U.S. markets.

“They’re not going to take advantage anymore,” he declared. “We’re going to be economically strong.”

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