Trump says India offered to cut its tariffs to 'nothing'

Skylar Woodhouse, Bloomberg News on Sep 1, 2025

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President Donald Trump said India has offered to cut its tariff rates following the U.S. imposition last week of 50% levies as punishment for its purchases of Russian oil.

“They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday. It wasn’t clear when the offer was made, or whether the White House plans to reopen trade talks with India.

The new U.S. tariffs doubled the existing 25% duty on Indian exports. The levies hit more than 55% of goods shipped to the U.S. — India’s biggest market — and hurt labor-intensive industries like textiles and jewelry the most. Key exports like electronics and pharmaceuticals are exempt, sparing Apple Inc.’s massive new factory investments in India for now.

The tariffs have stunned Indian officials and follow months of trade talks between New Delhi and Washington. India was among the first countries to open trade talks with the Trump administration, but its own high tariffs and protectionist policies in sectors such as agriculture and dairy have frustrated U.S. negotiators.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to a request for comment outside regular office hours and the White House didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office also didn’t immediately respond.

Trump has grown frustrated with India for buying Russian oil, which he said helps fund President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin are meeting in China, signaling that New Delhi’s ties with Moscow remain firm despite relentless pressure from the Trump administration. Modi declared Monday that India and Russia share a “special” relationship.

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(With assistance from Eltaf Najafizada.)