India has vowed not to “bow down” after Washington imposed sweeping 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, with Trade Minister Piyush Goyal declaring New Delhi would instead focus on expanding exports to new markets.
The levies, which took effect this week, are the harshest ever imposed by the United States on India, targeting sectors from textiles to seafood, and are widely seen as retaliation for New Delhi’s massive purchases of Russian oil. The move, part of President Donald Trump’s tariff-driven pressure campaign on Moscow, has strained ties between the world’s two largest democracies.
Speaking in New Delhi, Goyal said India was “always ready” for free trade agreements but insisted it would never appear weak. “We will continue to move together and capture new markets,” he said, promising relief measures to protect exporters.
The US was India’s top export destination in 2024, with shipments valued at $87.3 billion. Analysts, however, warn that a 50 percent duty is tantamount to a trade embargo and could devastate small and medium exporters. Cancellations in textiles, jewelry, and seafood are already reported, with rivals Bangladesh and Vietnam standing to benefit.
The Modi government says it will roll out sectoral support in coming days.
