With his tariffs, Trump “undermines ties between India and the United States”

The US president has imposed 25% tariffs on Indian products, while showing more leniency toward New Delhi's rival countries. This is a sign of "structural tensions" between the two countries, according to the Indian press.

Congress Party activists burn effigies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata on August 1, 2025, in protest against new tariffs imposed on the country. PHOTO DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP

What's wrong with India and the United States? "Is this simply a rift caused by a violent current of American nationalism and its fickle champion, President Donald Trump, or is the current turmoil a sign of structural tensions that have been simmering beneath the rhetoric?" asks The Hindu on Thursday, July 31, following the announcement of US tariffs that will now hit Indian exports.

Starting in August, the United States will impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, along with an additional penalty due to India's trade with Russia and Iran.

“I don’t care what India does with Russia,” Donald Trump even said on Thursday, July 31. “They can bring down their dying economies together, for all I care, ” he added. “We’ve done very little business with India; their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world.”

Worse still, the US has imposed lower tariffs on India's competitors in the US market. This could hurt Indian exports, particularly in the electronics sector. “Donald Trump has stepped up the pressure