The commerce ministry is assessing the impact of the US’s 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, with a 10% universal tariff starting April 5 and the rest from April 10. India and the US are negotiating a trade deal, aiming to finalise its first phase by fall.
A senior government official stated on Thursday that the commerce ministry is assessing the impact of the 26% reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on India.
According to the official, the universal 10 per cent tariffs will come into effect on all imports into the US from April 5 and the remaining 16 per cent from April 10.
“The ministry is analysing the impact of the announced tariffs,” the official told PTI, adding there is a provision that if a country addresses the concerns of the US, the Trump administration can consider reducing the duties against that nation.
“This is Liberation Day, a long-awaited moment. 2nd April 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again. We are going to make it wealthy, good, and wealthy,” Trump said on Wednesday in remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House as he announced the closely watched reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose levies on American goods.
As he announced the tariffs, he held up a chart that showed the tariffs that countries such as India, China, the UK, and the European Union charge, along with the reciprocal tariffs that these countries will now have to pay.
The chart indicated that India charged 52 per cent tariffs, including currency manipulation and trade barriers, and America would now charge India a discounted reciprocal tariff of 26 per cent.
PM (Modi) Is A Great Friend But…’: Trump
As he announced the tariff rate on India, President Trump called the Indian tariff regime “very, very tough,” even as he acknowledged that Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is a ‘great friend’ of his.
“India very, very tough,” the 78-year-old POTUS said at the Make America Wealthy Again press address. Trump then referred to PM Modi’s recent visit to the US and PM Modi’s meeting with him and a host of other key figures in his administration, including White House senior advisor, billionaire Elon Musk.
