Tue Feb 11 03:45:12 UTC 2025: ## India Remains Silent as Trump Imposes New Steel Tariffs

**New Delhi, February 11, 2025** – The Indian government has yet to officially respond to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., a move that comes just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Washington.

While the Union Steel Secretary, Sandeep Poundrik, downplayed the impact, citing India’s relatively small steel exports to the U.S. (95,000 tonnes out of a total 145 million tonnes), experts warn of potential negative consequences for Indian steel producers. The tariffs are expected to boost domestic U.S. steel production and prices, increasing competition and potentially exacerbating oversupply in other markets. Moody’s AVP Hui Ting Sim noted that high steel imports into India have already impacted domestic prices and producer earnings.

India’s muted response extends beyond the steel tariffs. The government has also remained silent on the U.S. decision to potentially rescind or modify India’s sanctions waiver for developing a terminal at Iran’s Chabahar port, a crucial element of India’s trade strategy. Furthermore, there has been no official comment on Trump’s threats to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations that circumvent the U.S. dollar, or on the U.S.’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization, other UN organizations, and the Paris Agreement on climate change. These actions could impact Indian projects funded by the U.S. The freezing of all USAID funding to India, totaling $2.86 billion since 2001, including $650 million in the last four years, has also been met with silence from the Indian External Affairs Ministry. The new tariffs are expected to take effect on March 4th.

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