Donald Trump Announces Tariff Imposition from August 1; India Among Key Focus Areas

Washington, D.C.: Former US President Donald Trump has declared that countries will begin paying tariffs starting August 1, escalating trade tensions as negotiations near their final phase.

Trump told reporters on Thursday (US time) that his administration will begin sending letters to around 10 to 12 countries on Friday, informing them of the new tariff rates. He added that additional letters will follow in the coming days.

“They’ll be fully covered and they’ll range in value from maybe 60 or 70% tariffs to 10 and 20% tariffs,” Trump stated.

Tariff Ranges and Deadline

According to Trump, the letters will indicate tariff rates ranging between 10% and 70%. He reiterated that if countries fail to secure trade deals by July 9, the US will move forward with higher tariff impositions.

So far, agreements have been reached with the UK and Vietnam, while the US and China have also agreed to a truce, easing earlier tit-for-tat tariffs between the two economic giants.

India Under Pressure to Open Agricultural Market

India remains a critical player in the ongoing trade talks. Washington has been pressing New Delhi to reduce tariffs on key American farm goods, including soybeans, wheat, corn, apples, ethanol, and dairy products. These items, however, are politically sensitive within India.

The US has also demanded market access for genetically modified (GM) crops, but India has resisted due to regulatory and health concerns.

New Delhi has refused to lower barriers, citing the need to protect its smallholder farmers, food security, and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, which supports rural livelihoods and ensures price stability.

India’s agricultural sector supports over half of its population. Any major tariff concessions could impact domestic crop prices, harm local farmers, and cause political backlash.

Experts warn that allowing heavily subsidised US farm goods to enter India could destabilize the rural economy and reverse years of progress toward food self-reliance.