Trump Tariff Policy Clarified as India Pushes Back

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The Trump administration has confirmed that its newly announced tariffs will not apply to goods already en route to the United States before 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday. The clarification, reported by Bloomberg, offers guidance amid rising global trade tensions and is part of broader efforts to protect U.S. manufacturing and close import loopholes.

Under the new rules, exemptions include products covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and humanitarian aid shipments such as food, medicine, and clothing. However, a strong warning has been issued: goods routed through third countries to avoid direct tariffs may face penalties of up to 40%.

These steps are consistent with President Donald Trump’s long-standing focus on correcting trade imbalances and countering what he has described as unfair practices by foreign governments and corporations.

One of the latest disputes involves India, which has condemned a statement by Trump warning of a sharp rise in tariffs on Indian exports. The president criticized India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, arguing that the country profits from reselling the oil on the global market while ignoring the war in Ukraine.

“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine.”

In response, Indian officials called the warning “unjustified” and indicated that the government would take the necessary steps to defend its economic interests.

Trump has also taken a firm position on China’s energy ties with Russia, calling Beijing’s stance a roadblock in broader trade negotiations. The former president’s approach to trade has consistently linked national security, energy independence, and economic strength, key issues likely to remain prominent in the coming election cycle.

Additional measures announced by the administration include a 35% tariff on imports from Canada and a new range of tariffs between 10% and 40% on products from numerous other trading partners. These duties are expected to take full effect within days.

Supporters of the tariff strategy argue that it defends American jobs and manufacturing from being undercut by foreign markets. The approach reflects a shift away from globalist economic policies and toward a more self-reliant industrial base. Opponents, primarily from left-leaning think tanks and international trade groups, have raised concerns about higher consumer prices and strained diplomatic relations.