Trump hits Brazil and India with hefty tariffs over decisions he doesn’t like

LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago

THE US PRESIDENT has issued massive blanket tariffs on India and Brazil as Donald Trump falls out with the leaders of two of the largest global economies.  

Trump this evening announced a 25% tariff and an as-yet unspecified ‘penalty’ against India in retaliation against it purchasing weapons and energy from Russia. The tariff rate is lower than previously announced, but higher when compared to other Asian countries.

India, the world’s most populous country, was one of the first major economies to engage the White House in broader trade talks, but negotiations have now collapsed after India’s reluctance to fully open its agricultural and other sectors.

Speaking this evening, Trump said that while India is a “friend” of the US, its current tariffs on US exports are “too high”. He also accused the country of continuing to purchase weapons from Russia, which is continuing its brutal invasion of Ukraine.

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Trump has signalled he intends to tighten US pressure on Moscow to halt fighting in Ukraine and negotiate a peace deal. Yesterday, he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin ten days to change course in Ukraine or face new tariffs.

Despite the tariff threat, India said it was committed to continuing negotiations on “a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement”. 

Tariffs on Brazil and sanctions on judge

Elsewhere today, Trump imposed Brazil with 50% tariffs to pressure the country to stop the trial of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of coup charges. Trump has termed the trial a “witch hunt”.

The US this morning also announced sanctions on a judge overseeing the case against Bolsonaro. The Brazillian government said the American decision was “arbitrary and unjustifiable”.

With reporting by AFP 2025

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