Wed Apr 02 08:32:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration to Unveil Reciprocal Tariffs, Targeting India
**New Delhi, April 2, 2025** – The White House is poised to announce a new plan of “reciprocal tariffs” tonight, a move President Donald Trump has championed since taking office. The announcement, scheduled for 4 p.m. EST (1:30 a.m. IST Thursday) in the Rose Garden, is expected to immediately go into effect. While specifics remain undisclosed, the plan is anticipated to target several countries deemed to impose unfair tariffs on US goods.
India is reportedly among the nations facing potential penalties. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington and ongoing talks for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the White House considers India a “worst offender,” citing high tariffs (17% in 2023, according to WTO) and a significant bilateral trade deficit ($45.7 billion) in India’s favor. US Trade Representative (USTR) officials highlighted specific tariffs on American agricultural products as a point of contention.
The Indian government, while expressing hope for an exception and claiming progress in BTA negotiations, acknowledges the concerns. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged trust in negotiators to secure the best possible deal.
The potential response from India remains uncertain. Previous retaliatory measures by India to US trade actions have been muted, unlike the strong responses seen from China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. The upcoming announcement will test India’s willingness to engage in a trade war with the US.
First Piper 