US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that India will pay a 25% tariff starting August 1, 2025, along with an additional unspecified penalty. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that India has the “most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country.”

He wrote: “Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE – ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST 1st. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!”

Following the announcement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in an official statement, said that the government is “studying its implications” and that it will take all necessary steps to secure the national interest. “The Government has taken note of a statement by the US President on bilateral trade. The Government is studying its implications,” the statement read.

The Commerce Ministry further added that both nations have been engaged in negotiations to conclude a “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement” over the past few months. Meanwhile, it assured that the government remains unwavering in its commitment to that objective.

“The Government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs,” the MoCI said.

Hours later, in response to ANI regarding whether he is still open to negotiating with India on the tariffs, Trump said, “We are talking to them now. We will see what happens. India was the highest or just about the highest-tariff nation in the world… We will see. We are negotiating with India right now.”