Tariff war: Washington adjusts its stance on India to counter Chinese influence in Pakistan

On July 31, 2025, Donald Trump announced the imposition of 25% tariffs on all goods of Indian origin imported into the United States, effective August 7.

The decision was presented as an “urgent measure to protect American industry” and was announced almost simultaneously with Trump’s late-night posts on Truth Social, where he described Indian tariffs as “strenuous and obnoxious” and stated that “India and Russia can together drag down their dead economies.”

The White House’s decision coincided with an official announcement of a new tariff agreement with Pakistan at a 19% rate, creating a stark media contrast between a “punished” India and an “encouraged” Islamabad, setting the tone for further discussion about the White House’s true motives.