India has slammed the new 50% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” in a statement by the Foreign Ministry posted on X.

“We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people in India,” a spokesman said in the statement.

“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”

It added that India would take action “to protect its national interest.”

Trump signed an executive order earlier on Wednesday declaring that the US will impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in 21 days, citing the country’s continued oil purchases from Russia.

Trump imposed an initial 25% tariff on goods from India last week, set to come into force on Thursday, as he sharply criticized New Delhi for its military and energy ties with Russia.

With both rounds in place, total tariffs on Indian goods would reach 50% by the end of the month.

However, with the latest levy not due to take effect for three weeks, India still potentially has time to try to defuse tensions. – editor@nrifocus.com