Fact Check: Did Trump raise India’s trade tariff to 28%?

WASHINGTON, DC: A screenshot has been circulating on social media platforms claiming to show that President Donald Trump has increased the trade tariff on India to 28%. The viral post has sparked speculations among netizens, with many questioning the authenticity of the claim. Let us analyse the purported screenshot and fact-check it.

Claim: Donald Trump raised India's trade tariff to 28%

A purported social media post by US President Trump has gone viral. The post reads, “It is my Great Honor to have just signed, from the Oval Office, a Global 10% Tarif on all Countries, which will be effective almost immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

The screenshot has been shared with the claim that a 10 per cent additional tariff applies to India, increasing the total tariff on Indian imports to 28 per cent.

According to those sharing the post, 10% will be allegedly added to the previously agreed 18% tariff between India and the US.

An X user shared Trump’s post and wrote, “Trump has imposed 10% tarrif again - Now India has to pay 28% tarrif - While US pays O% tarrif to India. If this is not a failed Foreign policy then what is it?”

Fact Check: False, No credible reports support claim

Although the Truth Social post by Donald Trump in the claim was shared by the US President on February 21, the claim that Trump has imposed an additional 10% tariff on India is false. 

Instead, he announced a 10 per cent worldwide tariff following a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States.

On February 20, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global tariffs, invalidating many of the tariffs imposed by the President.

The announcement about 10% global tariff came after this. According to Hindustan Times, when asked about India’s tariff, he said it would remain at 18 per cent as agreed earlier.

Supreme Court bars Donald Trump's emergency tariffs

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday, February 20, that Trump does not have the authority to impose broad global tariffs under a 1977 federal emergency powers law, delivering a major legal setback to the administration’s trade strategy.

In a 6-3 decision, the court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the imposition of tariffs. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.

The ruling affirmed an earlier judgment by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which found the tariffs unlawful and outside the scope of the statute’s intended powers.