Trump announces 26% tariff on India

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping tariff policy targeting India, China and key trade partners, citing unfair trade practices.

In a charged White House Rose Garden speech, he announced a 26 percent import duty on Indian goods and 34 percent on Chinese imports, branding them as “discounted reciprocal tariffs” since the US claimed to impose only half of what these countries charge.

The policy is set to impact India’s alcobev sector significantly, with a staggering 122.10 percent tariff hike, despite the country exporting a modest $19.20 million worth of alcoholic beverages to the US.

Calling India’s tariffs “very, very tough,” Trump revealed that he confronted Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent US visit, stating, “You’re a friend of mine, but you’ve not been treating us right.”

Meanwhile, the European Union faces a 20 percent levy, the UK 10 percent, and Japan 24 percent, all layered over a new 10 percent base import duty on all foreign products.

Amid raucous cheers, Trump declared April 2nd as “Liberation Day”, claiming that “other countries have looted and plundered us, but no longer.” He assured that the tariffs would revive US industries, restore jobs and bolster small businesses. The White House later confirmed the tariffs take effect from April 5 at 12.01 am (9.30 am IST) under an economic “national emergency.”