, and the Bolivarian Revolution.
Trump Slaps 50% Tariff on Indian Goods Over Russian Oil Imports, Escalating Trade Tensions
Washington D.C.- In a dramatic escalation of trade pressure, former U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a hefty 50% tariff on goods imported from India, citing the nation’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The move,announced Thursday,August 7th,2025,effectively doubles the existing 25% tariff,making India subject to one of the highest import levies of any U.S. trading partner.
According to an executive order released by Trump, the decision stems from intelligence indicating India is “directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia.” The tariff will take effect 21 days after the august 7th declaration, building on the existing 25% levy already in place.
“I found that the Indian government is currently directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia,” Trump stated in the order, as reported by CNBC International. “Thus, adn in accordance with applicable law, goods from India imported to the United States will be subject to an additional import duty tariff of 25%.”
A Geopolitical Pressure Campaign
This action is the latest in a series of increasingly assertive moves by Trump aimed at curtailing Russia’s revenue streams, particularly those derived from energy sales. The former President has repeatedly warned of escalating tariffs for nations continuing to trade with Moscow, framing it as a critical component of pressuring Russia to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
The timing of the announcement is particularly noteworthy,coinciding with a meeting between Trump’s special envoy,Steve Witkoff,and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday,August 6th. Sources within the White house indicated the meeting was “productive,” and that the implementation of these tariffs was anticipated as early as Friday.
India’s Response & The Broader Context of Energy Security
New Delhi swiftly responded to the tariff announcement, expressing “regret” over the decision and defending its energy import policies. A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Navtej Sarna, emphasized that India’s oil purchases are driven by “market factors and are carried out with the aim of ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indian population.” Sarna further characterized the U.S. tariff as “unfair, unreasonable, and unjustified.”
this situation highlights the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the global energy market. India, the world’s third-largest consumer of oil, relies heavily on imports to meet its energy demands. While Western nations have largely curtailed Russian oil purchases, India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude, a move that has provided Moscow with a crucial economic lifeline.
long-Term Implications & Potential for Escalation
The imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods is likely to have important repercussions for both economies.U.S. businesses reliant on Indian manufacturing could face increased costs, perhaps leading to higher prices for consumers.Indian exporters, particularly in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods, will likely see reduced competitiveness in the U.S. market.
Experts predict this move could trigger retaliatory measures from India, potentially leading to a broader trade war. Furthermore, it raises questions about the future of U.S.-India trade relations, a partnership that has been steadily strengthening in recent years.
Looking Ahead: The situation remains fluid. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can be utilized to de-escalate tensions and avert a prolonged trade dispute. The outcome will likely hinge on Russia’s actions in Ukraine and India’s willingness to adjust its energy import strategy.[Video: Is Charged 50%, President of Brazil is reluctant to telephone Trump] – Link to video to be inserted here
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SEO Keywords: Donald Trump, India, Russia, Tariffs, Trade War, Ukraine, Energy Security, Oil imports, US-India Relations, Steve Witkoff, Vladimir Putin, Navtej Sarna, CNBC International, Executive Order.
Canada Seeks to Avert US Tariff Hike as deadline Looms
Canada is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent an increase in US tariffs on its goods,wiht a critical deadline of August 1 set by President Trump. The potential tariff hike could see duties on Canadian products rise from 25% to 35%.
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for Canada-US trade, is scheduled to spend a significant portion of this week in Washington D.C. to address the situation. He, along with other senior Canadian officials, met with Republican lawmakers last week, emphasizing the substantial investments Canadian pension funds make in the US market.While president trump has currently exempted most Canadian goods shipped under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement from tariffs, White House officials have indicated this exemption might continue beyond August 1. However,the ultimate decision rests with the President.
Canada continues to face substantial US tariffs and duties on key sectors,including autos,steel,aluminum,and lumber. Furthermore, President Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on copper imports as early as Friday.British Columbia Premier David Eby, representing Canada’s largest lumber-producing region, expressed optimism about potential breakthroughs in the ongoing trade discussions.He highlighted the softwood lumber issue as a specific area where a mutually beneficial resolution could be found, potentially bringing stability to both American and Canadian producers and increasing profitability for American businesses.
Eby indicated that Canadian officials are open to considering limitations on lumber exports to the US as a means to resolve the long-standing dispute that has negatively impacted Canadian sawmills.He is encouraging a piecemeal approach to negotiations with the President,aiming to identify areas of agreement and build momentum.Though, the specific proposals from the US remain uncertain.
Indonesia Accused of US Aircraft Coercion
Lawmaker claims Boeing deal tied to tariff reduction
A senior Indonesian lawmaker has accused the United States of pressuring the nation into purchasing 50 Boeing aircraft, alleging this was a condition for a significant tariff reduction.
Allegations of Forced Purchase
Rieke Diah Pitaloka, a member of Commission VI of the DPR, stated that the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, mandated the acquisition of Boeing planes. This demand, she claims, was linked to a reciprocal tariff cut from 32 percent to 19 percent.
“Other nations refuse to buy Boeing aircraft, but America must force it because Boeing is one of the American economic symbols,” Rieke remarked during a meeting. “When it doesn’t sell, this is also a matter of its economic symbol.”
Concerns Over Aircraft Viability
Rieke expressed skepticism regarding the marketability of Boeing aircraft, noting that other countries are reportedly avoiding them. She suggested that the recent tariff agreement could still be subject to renegotiation.
The PDI-P politician also referenced past financial difficulties experienced by Garuda Indonesia, the national airline, which she linked to previous aircraft procurements. These issues, she indicated, involved corruption cases and problematic aircraft models.
“In fact, we know yesterday in our discussion that the purchase of Boeing and Bombardier by BUMN named Garuda caused financial problems until now,” Rieke stated. “Buying 737 Max was grounded and 787 Dreamliners were also problematic. Which Boeing should be bought?”
—Rieke Diah Pitaloka, Commission VI Member, DPR
In 2023, Garuda Indonesia faced significant financial challenges, posting a net loss. However, the airline has been implementing a fleet optimization strategy. According to an industry report, the global aviation market is projected to see a steady recovery, with passenger traffic expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2024 (IATA, October 2023).
Official Response and Airline Plans
State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir acknowledged the input from Parliament but did not directly address the specifics of the 50-aircraft purchase. He assured that all parliamentary suggestions would be followed up.
“Of course, we will follow up on the input and some of the solutions given,” Erick commented after the meeting, emphasizing the ministry’s role in protecting the economy while fostering value creation.
Separately, Garuda Indonesia President Director Wamildan Tsani confirmed that the plan for the 50 Boeing aircraft had received approval from the SOE Minister, President Prabowo Subianto, and the General Meeting of Shareholders. He stressed that the acquisition aligns with the airline’s health and business transformation strategy.
“The plan to purchase the aircraft is one of the long-term strategic steps in the company’s health efforts through business transformation by strengthening the fleet and optimization of the aviation network in the next 5 years,” Wamildan explained in a filing to the Indonesia Stock Exchange.
The timeline and specific phases of the purchase are still under discussion with Boeing, taking into account the manufacturer’s readiness to supply the required aircraft types.
Donald Trump has announced potential tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from Brazil, a move that could impact the U.S. beverage industry.
The specifics of whether sugar cane could entirely supplant corn syrup in the U.S. market, or if both sweeteners will coexist, remain unclear.The Coca-Cola Group has stated that Trump’s “enthusiasm” for the brand is noted and that “more details on new innovative offers within the Coca-Cola product range” will be released soon. In the United States, mexican Coca-Cola sweetened with sugar cane is currently available for purchase.
Criticism of Corn Syrup
For decades, U.S.Coca-Cola production has primarily used a corn syrup with a high fructose content, a practice that began in the 1980s and differs from production in other countries. This syrup is favored for its lower cost, increased sweetness, and longer shelf life compared to other sugars. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s former Secretary of Health, has been a critic of this ingredient. While Trump himself is known to consume sugar-free Diet Coke sweetened with artificial sweeteners, he recently posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola made with sugar cane is “just better.”
The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, a major producer of high-fructose corn syrup, saw its share price drop by nearly one percent at the start of U.S. trading on Thursday.
An industry association representing corn processors has voiced criticism of Trump’s proclamation. John Bode, a representative of the association, argued that replacing corn syrup with cane sugar offers no nutritional advantage and would result in the loss of thousands of American jobs, a reduction in income for agricultural companies, and an increase in foreign sugar imports.
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United Nations (UN) warns that the termination of foreign aid by the presidential government United States of America (AS) Donald Trump can reverse “progress for decades” in countermeasures HIV/AIDS.
The UN was mentioned in an annual report on HIV/AIDS, as reported Al Jazera And Associated PressFriday (11/7/2025), that the sudden withdrawal of US funds from the US Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR) prevention in the last six months has caused “systemic shocks”.
Pepfar was launched in 2003 by US President George W Bush, and is the biggest commitment ever done by any country that focuses on one disease. UNAIDS calls this program a “savior” for countries with high HIV levels.
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UN officials also warned that if the funding was not replaced, it could result in six million additional HIV infections and triggered four million deaths related to AIDS in 2029.
AIDS Global 2025 report released on Thursday (10/7) said that the investment led by the US for many years in AIDS programs has reduced the number of people who died as a result of the disease to the lowest level in more than three decades, and provided drugs that have saved lives for most of the most vulnerable people in the world.
“HIV programs in low and middle income countries have been shaken by large financial disturbances that suddenly threaten to reverse the progress that has been achieved for years in HIV prevention,” said the annual report of UNAIDS.
“War and conflict, increasingly widening economic gaps, geopolitical shifts, and climate change shocks – that have never happened before in dealing with Global HIV – triggers instability and burdening multilateral cooperation,” said the report.
According to UNAIDS’s annual report, people who are infected with HIV and those who died due to the causes of AIDS are at the lowest level in “more than 30 years”. However, at the end of 2024, the decline in number was “not enough” to end AIDS as a public threat in 2030.
See also the video when celebrities in Cannes donated after AIDS funds were cut by Trump
The US $ 4 billion was promised by the US to the Global HIV response in 2025 disappeared in January, when Trump ordered the suspension of all foreign assistance and decided to close the USAID.
Funding by Trump has a huge impact, considering that Washington is the largest humanitarian assistance donor in the world.
“Sudden withdrawal of the biggest single contributor to the Global HIV response disrupts the treatment and prevention programs worldwide,” the UNAIDS report said.
According to the Unaids report, the loss of US aid funds has “disrupted the supply chain, causing the closure of health facilities, making thousands of health clinics losing staff, hampering prevention programs, disrupting HIV testing efforts, and forcing many community organizations to reduce or stop HIV -related activities”.
See also the video when celebrities in Cannes donated after AIDS funds were cut by Trump
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