Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says
An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced an additional 25 percent tariff on India, increasing the rate at which imports from India are taxed to 50 percent.
Washington, D.C.—The tariff on goods imported from India to the United States will increase to 50 percent later this month, the White House announced Wednesday morning.
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.”
Related stories will be right here …
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.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
