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India‑U.S. Trade Talks Postponed as Trump Raises Global Tariff to 15%

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Supreme Court blocks Trump’s emergency‑powers tariffs The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 decision on Feb 20, 2026, finding President Trump exceeded authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act when imposing reciprocal tariffs, including those on India [2][4]. The ruling nullified the country‑specific duties but left other tariff regimes, such as the 50 % steel and aluminium rates, untouched [5]. The Court’s rebuke prompted immediate policy recalibrations in Washington and heightened scrutiny from trade partners [8].

Trump escalates worldwide import levy to 15 % Following the Court’s criticism, Trump announced on Feb 21 that the temporary 10 % surcharge introduced on Feb 20 would rise to 15 % effective within days, describing the decision as “ridiculous” and “extraordinarily anti‑American” [2][3]. The 10 % rate, set by an executive order under Section 122 of the Trade Act, was originally slated for 150 days beginning Feb 24 2026 [4][5]. The rapid increase underscores the administration’s intent to maintain a broad‑based tariff despite legal setbacks [6].

India‑U.S. chief negotiators meeting delayed India’s delegation had been scheduled to begin talks on Feb 23 2026 to finalize the interim trade pact, but both sides agreed to postpone the three‑day session to a “mutually convenient date” while assessing the new tariff environment [1]. The delay comes after Trump’s tariff hikes and the Supreme Court ruling, which together reshape the trade calculus for the pending agreement [4]. Officials indicated the rescheduling aims to allow each government to evaluate policy implications before reconvening [1].

India reviews fallout and maintains interim agreement terms India’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Feb 21 that it is studying the impact of the U.S. 10 % surcharge, which sits atop existing MFN duties, and the continued 50 % steel/aluminium tariffs [4][5]. The February 2 interim deal, still in force according to Trump, reduces Indian export tariffs to 18 % while the United States pays none [8][7]. Bilateral trade reached $186 billion in FY 2024‑25, and the ministry’s analysis will inform future negotiations and possible adjustments to the agreement [4].

Sources

Timeline

Jul 30, 2025 – The United States imposes a 25 % tariff on Indian imports, marking the first major trade penalty against Delhi and signaling a shift toward protectionism [23].

Aug 27, 2025 – The U.S. expands the tariff on Indian goods to 50 % via an executive order, intensifying pressure on India’s export sectors [23].

Dec 2025 – Indian steel and aluminium shipments to the United States plunge 66 % as the high tariffs cripple the fourth‑largest export category [9].

Jan 5, 2026 – President Donald Trump claims on Truth Social that U.S. tariff receipts will top $600 billion, framing the levies as a boost to national security and finances [21].

Jan 6, 2026 – Trump tells a GOP retreat that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “is not that happy with me” over the tariffs tied to India’s Russian‑oil purchases, underscoring bilateral tension [20].

Feb 2, 2026 – Trump announces a surprise U.S.–India trade deal that cuts U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 50 % to 18 %, removes the 25 % penalty on Russian‑oil trade, and secures India’s pledge to import $500 billion of U.S. products while eliminating Indian tariffs on U.S. goods [1][2][3][12][14][15][18][19].

Feb 2, 2026 – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrives in Washington for a three‑day visit that includes the Critical Minerals Ministerial, where a non‑binding supply‑chain document is expected to be signed [19].

Feb 3, 2026 – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms that India will cease buying Russian oil and will shift purchases to the United States, reinforcing the trade‑deal narrative [14].

Feb 4, 2026 – NCP chief Sharad Pawar warns that the new U.S. tariff framework “could threaten Indian farmers” by allowing heavily subsidised U.S. farm products into India [13].

Feb 5, 2026 – Trump declares the agreement a “historic trade framework,” emphasizing that India will buy $500 billion of U.S. energy, transport and agricultural goods and that U.S. tariffs fall to 18 % [12].

Feb 12, 2026 – The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) calls for a general strike on Feb 12, denouncing the deal as a betrayal of farmers and accusing Modi of yielding to U.S. pressure [16].

Feb 14‑21, 2026 – India’s second‑phase voter‑list revision removes about 8 % of voters in nine states, sparking political controversy amid the trade negotiations [7].

Feb 20, 2026 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules 6‑3 that President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, striking down the reciprocal tariffs on India and other countries [9][10][11]; Trump declares the India‑U.S. deal “unchanged” and vows to use Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose a 10 % global tariff, calling the Court “fools” and praising dissenting Justice Kavanaugh [8][11].

Feb 21, 2026 – Trump raises the worldwide tariff from 10 % to 15 % after the Court decision, citing a “detailed review” and defending the move as a response to the “ridiculous” ruling [5][7]; India’s Ministry of Commerce monitors the fallout, noting the 10 % surcharge sits atop existing MFN duties [6].

Feb 22, 2026 – India and the United States postpone the three‑day chief‑negotiators meeting originally set for Feb 23, citing the need to assess recent policy changes after the Supreme Court ruling and the new 10 % global surcharge [4].

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