Today's Edition
WASHINGTON (AFP)
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that imports from India will face 25 percent tariffs, with the measures kicking in on Friday.
Trump posted the decision on his Truth Social platform, adding to a bevy of other tariff hikes -- some up to 50 percent -- set to take effect the same day.
In a separate post, Trump said the August 1 deadline "stands strong, and will not be extended."
He had previously issued multiple delays to his so-called "reciprocal" tariffs since first announcing them in early April, while instituting an interim 10 percent baseline.
The 25 percent tariff on India would be marginally lower than the rate announced in April, but is higher than those of other Asian countries that have struck preliminary trade agreements with Washington.
India, the world's most populous country, was one of the first major economies to engage the Trump administration in broader trade talks.
But six months later, Trump's sweeping demands and India's reluctance to fully open its agricultural and other sectors have so far prevented New Delhi from sealing a deal.
Despite the tariff threat, New Delhi said it was committed to continuing negotiations on "a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement."
Trump has meanwhile announced deal outlines with five countries -- Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines -- as well as the one with the 27-nation EU.
US and Chinese officials held talks this week in Stockholm on extending a trade truce that has temporarily lowered tariffs from soaring triple-digits.
While no deal was announced at the meetings, both sides are eying an extension ahead of the August 12 deadline.
