29.08.2025, Washington.
The real reason for imposing ultra-high tariffs against India is Washington’s desire to impose unfavorable terms of a trade deal on New Delhi, and not India’s purchase of Russian oil, Rossa Primavera News Agency’s India Desk wrote on August 29.
On August 27, in an interview with Fox Business, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that India was among the first to begin negotiations after US President Donald Trump announced in March the imminent introduction of tariffs against most countries in the world.
“ I thought we would have a deal in May or June. I thought India could be one of the earlier deals and they kind of tapped us along in terms of the negotiations and then there is also the aspect of the Russian crude purchases which they’ve been profiteering on,” the secretary said.
The phrase about Russian oil should not be given special attention. Apparently, Bessent used it to disguise the main point he inadvertently revealed: the US had planned to conclude a trade agreement with India much sooner.
There is no doubt that Washington tried to impose the most unfavorable conditions possible on New Delhi, as it did with the European Union.
However, despite the quick start, the Indians clearly had no intention of surrendering quickly and accepting US terms just so Trump could boast of a new “great deal.”
Judging by leaks in the Indian media, the country’s government managed to significantly improve the terms of the agreements, and the signing was postponed closer to November. Apparently, this was categorically unacceptable to Trump, and he decided to push through his conditions by threatening overall tariffs of 50%.
But this maneuver failed. India did not give in to the blackmail, and the US found itself in a difficult position. Considering New Delhi’s firm stance, the final agreements for Washington may turn out to be even worse than those that originally prompted Trump to launch this cavalry charge.
