India's 50% US tariffs among highest globally: Here’s how it compares with other major export economies

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing additional 25% tariffs on India over the purchase of Russian oil, doubling the overall export levies to 50% and putting India among nations with the highest imposed tariffs so far, along with Brazil.

The additional 25% tariff on imports from India will be effective from August 27. The White House, in a statement, said the latest tariff hike is in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports. It said India’s "importation of Russian Federation oil undermines U.S. efforts to counter Russia’s activities in Ukraine". The US has also accused India of reselling the Russian oil in the open market, often at significant profit, alleging India is enabling the Russian economy to fund its aggression.

In response to the Trump administration's latest move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India will always protect its national interests.

The additional levy places India on par with Brazil at 50%, which faces the highest tariffs so far. This also puts India at a disadvantage compared to other export economies, especially Asian economies like China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh, as the US tariff rates for them are much lower than India's.

Among Asian economies, Malaysia faces 25% levy on exports to the US, while Vietnam and Bangladesh have struck trade deals, each agreeing to 20% tariffs on articles exported by these countries. Indonesia has also signed a deal with Trump, agreeing to a 19% tariff from a 32% levy before the agreement. The Philippines faces a 20% duty on exports, while allowing American products into the country at "zero tariff". Japan has also signed a deal with the US, agreeing to a 15% tariff.

Along with India, the countries with some of the highest tariffs across the world include Brazil (50%), Syria (41%), Myanmar (40%), Switzerland (39%), Laos (40%), Thailand and Cambodia (36% each), Canada (35%), China (30%), Algeria (30%), Iraq (35%), South Africa (30%), Libya (30%), and Mexico (25%).

Trump's latest tariff announcement regarding India comes as the India-US bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations, which were launched in March 2025, have failed to reach a meaningful agreement so far. Five rounds of negotiations have been held, the last being from July 14-18, 2025, in Washington, USA, and both governments are yet to announce any significant progress. The sixth round of talks is expected to happen at the end of August.

As the US tries to counter China and now India with heavy duties on exports into the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit this month, making it his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clashes in Ladakh in 2020.