Indian Products Could Face Tariffs of Up to 500 Percent in the US

09-Jan-2026 11:55 AM

Washington. The US President has approved a bill that includes a provision for imposing hefty import duties (tariffs) of up to 500 percent on products from countries that import crude oil from Russia.

Since countries like China, India, and Brazil import large quantities of crude oil from Russia, it is understood that the US wants to increase pressure on these countries. It is noteworthy that many Indian products already face a 50 percent import duty in the US.

Another objective of this bill is to weaken Russia's economic position so that it is forced to end the ongoing war with Ukraine.

India wants to enter into a bilateral trade agreement with the US, and a draft of this agreement has already been prepared, which the US has accepted in principle, but it is hesitant to sign it. The US fears that after the bilateral trade agreement comes into effect, it will not be able to exert pressure on India.

After receiving presidential approval, the new bill is likely to be introduced in the US Congress next week. If the bill is passed there, India, China, and Brazil could face significant difficulties.

Exports of Indian goods to the US, including Basmati rice, spices, and textile products, could come to a standstill, even though the US is a crucial market for these products.

The Indian government is closely monitoring the entire situation. India has reduced its imports of crude oil from Russia to some extent, but it has not completely stopped them.