Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 6 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey on Wednesday questioned the bond between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the United States slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports.
"Donald Trump is repeatedly imposing tariffs on India, as he knows that India will not bow down to him. This is the new India, we will purchase oil from whoever we want. What kind of friend is Donald Trump to PM Modi?" Dubey told ANI.
US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil.
According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.
After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions.
The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency.
Terming the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday declared that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests."
In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India."
"It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added."We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed.