US President Donald Trump has announced that India will not be able to avoid the introduction of mutual tariffs that will come into effect on April 2, 2025. He said this in an interview published by Bloomberg on March 20. According to the American leader, India is among the countries with the highest tariff barriers in the world, which makes it one of the priority targets of the new US trade policy.

"India imposes huge tariffs on us and we will respond in kind," — Trump emphasized, specifying that Washington intends to mirror India’s rates on American goods.

Trump's statement comes as Indian officials seek to soften the U.S. position. Officials in New Delhi have stepped up efforts to ease trade tensions by taking steps to reduce barriers. In particular, India has already agreed to reduce tariffs on a range of U.S. imports and to expand purchases of American energy and weapons. These measures are seen as an attempt to avoid the harsh economic consequences that could follow the introduction of U.S. tariffs. However, Trump has made it clear that such concessions will not affect his decision and that India will face tariffs in due course.

Trump’s new U.S. policy calls for so-called reciprocal tariffs, which would be calculated individually for each country based on its own rates and trade restrictions on American goods. India, according to the White House, imposes tariffs of 100 percent or more on some products, including automobiles and agricultural goods. Trump called this an “unfair practice” that the U.S. will no longer tolerate, vowing to “restore to America the wealth” lost due to weak trade policies of past administrations.

The tariffs are part of Trump’s broader strategy to renegotiate trade relationships with key partners. He already imposed 2025% tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico in early March 25, and raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 20% on top of existing rates. According to Reuters, the White House confirmed that on April 2, each country will receive a “tariff number” reflecting the level of its barriers to American exports. India, with its high tariffs, risks being among the hardest hit.

New Delhi’s response to the tariff threat has so far been muted. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Trump in February 2025, the two sides agreed to resolve tariff disputes and set a goal of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. However, the New York Times reports that the US administration has rejected the idea of ​​delays or exceptions, insisting on strict adherence to the schedule. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told local media that the country is ready for talks but will not allow pressure on its economy.