Donald Trump Announces 25% Tax and Penalty on India from August 1

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that India will pay a 25% tax starting August 1. He also noted that New Delhi will have to pay an additional penalty for purchasing oil and military equipment from Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned that despite the friendly relationship between India and the US, they have done relatively less business.

"Remember, even though India is our friend, we have done relatively less business with them in recent years. This is because their rates are very high, the highest in the world, and they have the toughest trade barriers of any country," he noted.

Donald Trump further said, "Also, they have always purchased a large portion of their military equipment from Russia. Moreover, they are the largest buyers of Russian energy along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the massacres in Ukraine. Not everything is good! Therefore, India will pay a 25% tax and the above penalty starting in August. Thank you for paying attention to this matter."

Last week, American Senator Lindsey Graham warned that Trump would impose strict tariffs on countries buying oil from Russia, excluding India, China, and Brazil.

He said these countries buy about 80% cheaper Russian oil, which keeps Vladimir "Putin's war machine" running. "President Trump will impose a 100% tax on all those countries, punishing them for helping Putin," he further stated.

NATO chief Mark Rutte had warned countries trading and doing business with Russia. He warned of 100% tariffs and more restrictions, focusing on India, China, and Brazil. He urged the three countries to stop trading.

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