US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs and a ‘penalty’ against India on Wednesday amid continued efforts to secure a trade deal. The Indian government has since taken note of the statement and reiterated its commitment towards a bilateral trade agreement. An official statement also stressed that India would “take all steps necessary” to secure its national interest.

“India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective. The Government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest,” it added.

The statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also cited the recent agreement signed with the UK to underscore its stance. Trump had announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs against nearly all imports from more than 180 countries in April — including a 26% levy against India. The impending duties will make several key exports costlier in the US and possibly disrupt the supply of Indian products. Washington is New Delhi’s third-largest investor, with $68 billion in cumulative FDI since 2002.

‘Most obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers’

Trump accused New Delhi of having “the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers” of all countries and cited its ties with Russia while announcing tariffs. He also dubbed the other country a “friend” — while repeatedly flagging the “massive” US-India trade deficit.

“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country. Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine — all things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first,” he wrote on Truth Social.