India has issued its first official response following US President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a 25 per cent tariff and additional penalties on goods exported from India to the United States. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the government is closely examining the implications of the move and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national interests.
In a carefully worded statement, notably restrained compared to Trump’s typically aggressive tone, the Indian government emphasized ongoing efforts to secure a fair and balanced trade agreement with Washington.
“The Government has taken note of a statement by the US President on bilateral trade. The Government is studying its implications. India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,” the statement said on Wednesday evening.
The ministry underlined that the welfare of Indian farmers, entrepreneurs, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector remains a top priority. It also highlighted India’s recent progress on the international trade front, citing the successful conclusion of a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom as an example of its proactive approach.
The 25% tariff announced by Trump is set to take effect from August 1 and comes amid rising tensions over India’s trade policies and its continued imports of Russian energy and defense equipment. The Indian government has yet to detail specific countermeasures but indicated that all options remain open as it evaluates the broader consequences of the US decision.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)