The United States on Wednesday imposed tariffs of up to 50% on most goods arriving from India, after a Department of Homeland Security notice added a fresh 25-percentage-point levy to duties that took effect earlier this month. The measure, effective from 00:01 a.m. Eastern time on 27 August, is framed by the White House as a sanction for New Delhi’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude. The higher rate applies to a wide range of labour-intensive exports—including garments, gems and jewellery, shrimp, furniture and chemicals—while sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, smartphones, steel, aluminium and passenger vehicles remain exempt. The border-agency notice provides a three-week waiver for Indian cargo that was already at sea before the deadline. The United States was India’s largest goods market last year, taking in about US$87 billion of shipments. New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative estimates roughly two-thirds of those exports now face the full 50% duty, a change that could cut overall shipments to the U.S. by 43% to US$49.6 billion and endanger up to two million jobs in textiles, jewellery and other small-business sectors. Exporter groups report cancelled orders and are urging domestic support measures, while economists put the potential annual hit to India’s GDP at up to US$36 billion. The tariff escalation follows five rounds of unsuccessful trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi. U.S. officials argue that India’s oil imports help finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine; Indian ministers call the levies unfair and promise to explore alternative markets. Modi has launched a “buy India-made” campaign and is due to travel to Japan this week, underscoring the geopolitical stakes as the world’s two largest democracies reassess a partnership long viewed as a counterweight to China.