Trump’s New India Deal: Lower Tariffs for a Move Away from Russian Oil
Feb 03, 2026
President Donald Trump said the United States and India have reached an agreement on a new trade deal, marking a shift in economic ties between the two countries. The announcement came during public remarks outlining changes to U.S. tariff policy toward India.
Under the proposed plan, the U.S. would
lower tariffs on Indian goods to about 18 percent, down sharply from current levels. In return, India would reduce some of its own duties on American products and increase purchases of U.S. energy, aircraft, and defense equipment. The deal also includes a commitment by India to stop buying oil from Russia, according to Trump.
Details remain limited. Indian officials have not confirmed all elements publicly, and some protections for India’s agricultural sector are expected to stay in place. What this really means is that the framework is set, but the fine print still needs work.
Markets in India reacted positively after the announcement, while analysts noted that timelines and enforcement steps have yet to be clarified.
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