Trump rules out trade talks with India amid 50% tariff dispute until...

US President Donald Trump has made it clear that trade talks with India are on hold. When asked by ANI reporters, whether he expected increased trade negotiations with India following the announcement of 50 percent tariffs, US President Donald Trump made his position clear. “No, not until we get it resolved,” he said, effectively ruling out any talks until the ongoing tariff dispute is settled.

His remarks follow the signing of an executive order that slaps an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, bringing the total to 50 percent. The decision, effective from August 27, targets nearly all Indian goods arriving at US ports. Some exceptions will apply for items already in transit or falling under special exemptions.



The official line from the White House is that India’s continued purchase of Russian oil whether directly or through intermediaries poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security. That, they argue, justifies emergency economic measures.

The first wave of 25 percent tariffs came into effect on August 7. The second tranche is set to follow three weeks later, tightening the pressure on New Delhi just as bilateral relations hit a 20-year low.

PM Modi fires back: "India is ready for it"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded quickly and firmly. Speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi, he rejected the idea that India would bow to outside pressure.

"For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority," he said. "India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it."

India has long refused to open up its agricultural and dairy sectors to global markets, citing the potential threat to millions of rural families. Modi’s comments reinforced that stance and made clear that the government sees Washington’s tariff move as an unacceptable provocation.

Also Read: PM Modi says ready to pay 'heavy price' for farmers' welfare as US trade war continues

Delhi calls it “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”

India's Ministry of External Affairs echoed the Prime Minister's defiance. In a sharply worded response, it labelled the US move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The ministry argued that India’s oil imports from Russia are determined by economic needs, not politics.

"We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," the ministry said.

This is not just a matter of tariffs, in Delhi’s view. It’s about sovereignty, the right to decide where its energy comes from, without having to answer to another capital.

Also Read: India will take actions necessary to protect national interests: MEA reacts to Trump’s ‘unfair’ 25% additional tariff

A broader fight over Russian oil imports

Trump’s move against India didn’t happen in a vacuum. It comes as part of his broader push to enforce “secondary sanctions” on nations continuing to do business with Russia. The timing, though, has raised eyebrows.

India isn’t the only country buying Russian oil. China and Turkey, also major importers, have so far escaped similar penalties. That hasn’t gone unnoticed in Delhi, where officials view the decision as arbitrary and politically loaded.

In fact, while India now faces a 50 percent tariff, the US’s 145 percent duty on Chinese goods remains on pause — part of a temporary truce between Washington and Beijing. That ceasefire is due to expire on 12 August.

Russia and China back India

The fallout has stretched beyond just India and the US. Russia and China have stepped in with statements of support for India’s position.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Trump’s tariff order a breach of international law. Moscow has also voiced strong backing for New Delhi. The message was underscored by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s recent trip to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting, both sides confirmed that Putin would soon visit India, with dates currently being finalised.

This row has pushed US–India trade ties into unfamiliar territory. Not long ago, the relationship was being celebrated as a strategic partnership with shared goals across defence, tech, and economic cooperation.

But the latest moves show how quickly that narrative can shift.

India is not signalling retreat. With vocal support from Moscow and Beijing, and a domestic political leadership willing to absorb economic pain for the sake of sovereignty, Delhi appears to be preparing for a long standoff.

What happens next may depend less on trade figures, and more on how each side navigates the balance between principle and pressure. For now, talks are off. Tariffs are on. And neither capital looks ready to blink.

Also Read: Trump hits India with additional 25% tariff: Breaking down US' latest move against New Delhi