Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says
An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.

In an executive order, President Donald Trump said he plans to add an additional 25 percent to the 25 percent tariff on Indian imports announced last week.
The rate set for India, where 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished, is one of the highest proposed for a U.S. trading partner.
It is one of a number of so-called reciprocal tariffs poised to impact the jewelry and watch industry.
Switzerland, the center of the mechanical watch-making world, faces a 39 percent tariff, while imports from Thailand are set to be taxed at 19 percent; Botswana, 15 percent; and the European Union, 15 percent, just to name a few.
On Wednesday, Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte said the proposed tariffs on Indian imports will be “detrimental” to a lot of jewelry businesses.
“We continue to work closely with our legislative team in Washington, D.C., to lobby for an exemption for diamonds and gemstones, as they cannot be sourced in the U.S. We continue to urge Jewelers of America members to use our Legislative Action Center to take action as well.”
The previously announced 25 percent tariff on Indian imports will go into effect Thursday along with the other “reciprocal” tariffs, while the additional 25 percent is slated to take effect on Aug. 27, according to the executive order.
“Obviously, a 50 percent-plus tariff on Indian goods will have a significant impact on the jewelry industry,” Jewelers Vigilance Committee CEO and General Counsel Sara Yood said.
“It's important to remember that these rates keep changing as the president is using them as a negotiating tactic, and just like the China tariff escalation we saw previously this year, we can expect the rates to fluctuate again as negotiations continue.”
In Wednesday’s executive order, Trump said the rate hike is because the Indian government has been “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.”
When imposing the initial 25 percent tariff last week, Trump stated via Truth Social that India would face an unspecified “penalty” for buying energy and military equipment from Russia “at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE.”
On Monday, Trump warned in another Truth Social post that the tariffs paid by India would be “substantially raised.”
“India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine.”
In a statement about the executive order, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs called Trump’s actions “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
India has been clear on its position regarding its energy purchases, the statement reads. Its imports are based on market factors with the objective of ensuring the energy security of the country’s 1.4 billion people.
“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the U.S. should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” it says, adding that India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.
The executive order also instructed members of the Trump administration to determine whether other countries are “directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil” and then decide “whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country.”
The Latest

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.


The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.