US Tariff: Why did Trump impose 50% tariff on India? White House cites Russia–Ukraine war as the reason

The United States has doubled tariffs on India, raising them to 50%, and the White House has linked this move to efforts at ending the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said in a briefing that President Donald Trump’s decision to sharply increase tariffs on India is part of a broader strategy to pressure countries globally in order to push Moscow and Kyiv towards peace negotiations.

“President Trump has put tremendous pressure on nations to ensure the Russia–Ukraine conflict ends. The additional tariffs on India are one such step,” Levitt stated.

From 25% to 50% tariff

Initially, Washington imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, but within weeks it doubled the figure, bringing the total tariff to 50%. According to Levitt, these measures are designed not as punishment against India, but as part of a wider framework of diplomatic and economic pressure on stakeholders tied to the war.

Trump’s push for negotiations

Levitt further revealed that President Trump recently hosted a tripartite meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. NATO leaders and senior European officials also joined the discussions.

“Trump urged both leaders to pursue negotiations rather than prolonging the conflict. All European leaders present acknowledged the seriousness of his efforts,” Levitt added.

Diplomatic follow-ups with Europe

Just 48 hours after Trump’s meeting with Putin, European leaders held further talks in Washington, where Trump reiterated his vision for a peace agreement. According to Levitt, this rapid sequence of meetings was the result of Trump’s “direct and effective diplomacy.”

“If Trump were president, war would never have started”

In her statement, Levitt repeated Trump’s long-standing claim that the war would never have broken out had he been in office during 2022. “Both Zelensky and Putin recognize Trump’s efforts today. Even President Putin has admitted that under Trump’s leadership, the war would not have begun,” she said.

Impact on India

While the White House insists the tariffs are a tool of global diplomacy, the move could significantly impact India–US trade relations. India, one of Washington’s key strategic partners in Asia, now faces higher export costs to the American market. Analysts believe New Delhi may push back through diplomatic channels, even as it balances its own ties with Russia, the US, and Europe amid the ongoing war.