How Trump’s Tariff Tantrums Unfolded in 2025

US President Donald Trump today announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, signalling a stalemate in the trade talks between Washington and New Delhi. He also threatened penalties for India’s continued purchases of oil and military equipment from Russia.

That the announcement comes just days before the August 1 deadline suggests both sides made a last-ditch attempt to reach a deal, but either one, or both, refused to yield on key issues.

Reports indicate that the US had pushed for access to India’s dairy and agriculture markets, something no Indian government would find easy to accommodate. Washington was also reportedly inflexible on lifting steel tariffs.

Trump’s own trade stance, however, has been far from consistent. He previously announced reciprocal tariffs on all US trading partners, only to suspend it just before its implementation. His position on China, America’s largest trading partner, has also shifted multiple times.

Here’s a timeline of Trump’s tariff tantrums that led to today’s escalation:

Jul 30: The annoucement
Trump announces a 25% tariff on Indian goods from August 1 and threatened additional penalties citing India’s deep energy and defence ties with Russia.

July 29: The Threat
Trump suggests India may face 20-25% tariff although it had not been finalised. “India has been a good friend, but India has charged basically more tariffs than almost any other country,” Trump had said. You just can’t do that.”

June 27: The Charm
President Trump suggests that the US is "very close" to a trade deal with India, hinting at a potential breakthrough in negotiations.

June 26: Indian Delegation in Washington
Rajesh Agrawal leads the Indian delegation to Washington for a follow-up round of talks aimed at closing differences ahead of the July 9 deadline.

June 4-10: US Delegation Visits India
A US delegation led by Additional US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch visits India for a week to discuss market access, digital trade, customs facilitation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, and legal frameworks.

June 3: Increased Tariffs on Steel & Aluminum
The US raises tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% for all countries except the UK, under Section 232. This also applies to derivative products containing the metals.

May 17-20: Continued Trade Talks
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visits Washington to meet USTR Jamieson Greer and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to take forward trade talks.

April 23: Indian Chief Negotiator Visit
Indian Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal visits Washington for the first in-person meeting with US counterparts to discuss 19 key chapters, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and customs facilitation.

April 9: Tariff Suspension
Trump announces a 90-day suspension of the country-specific tariffs, including the 26% tariffs on Indian goods, to facilitate ongoing trade negotiations.

April 2: Reciprocal Tariff Announcement
The Trump administration announces a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher country-specific tariffs based on trade deficits. India faces a proposed 26% reciprocal tariff.

March 12: US Steel & Aluminum Tariffs
President Trump imposes a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, citing national security concerns. The move applies to all countries, including India.

February 13: Trade Commitment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump commit to strengthen US-India trade relations, with an aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Both nations outline plans to initiate talks for a Bilateral Trade Agreement.

Also read: 
‘Friend’ No More? Trump Hits India With Tariffs Over Russia, Trade Barriers
India Holds Its Ground as Others Bow to US Tariff Demands