'Very, very tough': Donald Trump imposes 26% 'reciprocal tariff' on India, slams trade policies

US President Donald Trump's imposing a tariff policy, at least a 10 percent duty on about all goods entering the United States, has left other countries by storm. In connection with India, Trump announced a 26 percent tariff on the country, along with a host of other nations.

The US president announced the White House on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. While announcing the tariff rate on India, Trump said the India tariff regime was 'very, very tough'; along with this, he also acknowledged that the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is his 'great friend.'

The 78-year-old POTUS mentioned, "India very, very tough." While saying this, he referred to PM Modi's recent visit to the US and PM Modi's meeting with Trump.

? "India very, very tough. The Prime Minister just left and is a great friend of mine, but you are not treating us right. They charge us 52% and we charge them almost nothing," says Donald Trump. ???? pic.twitter.com/hJWWpzzLiU

¡ª Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) April 3, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump's friendship

The friendship between the two global leaders is well-known to everyone. During Trump's speech at the press conference, he referred to PM Modi's recent visit to the US and his meeting with him and a host of other key figures in his administration, including White House senior advisor and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

President Trump said, referring to PM Modi's recent visit, "The Prime Minister just left and is a great friend of mine, but you are not treating us right."

He continued saying, "They charge us 52 percent, and we charge them almost nothing..."

Credit: X

Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs at only half the rate

The announcements made by Donald Trump on 'Liberation Day' had no country-specific exclusions as he announced new tariff rates for over 180 countries. However, he imposed the reciprocal tariffs at only half the rate other countries charge on US products.

But still, this was enough to shake the unsettled market. But what does reciprocal tariff mean?

What is a reciprocal tariff?

The US president on Wednesday announced a 10 percent tariff on all import items but even higher ones for dozens of trading partners, including countries like China, India, and the European Union.

Well, Trump's approach to 'reciprocal' trade is like a tit-for-tat strategy to rectify the trade imbalances by imposing higher tariff amounts.

Here's a complete chart of countries and tariffs imposed on them

China: 34%

European Union: 20%

South Korea: 25%

India: 26%

Vietnam: 46%

Taiwan: 32%

Japan: 24%

Thailand: 36%

Switzerland: 31%

Indonesia: 32%

Malaysia: 24%

Cambodia: 49%

United Kingdom: 10%

South Africa: 30%

Brazil: 10%

Bangladesh: 37%

Singapore: 10%

Israel: 17%

Philippines: 17%

Chile: 10%

Australia: 10%

Pakistan: 29%

Turkey: 10%

Sri Lanka: 44%

Colombia: 10%