A recent report warns that the United States risks losing its crucial partnership with India amid increasing tensions spurred by the Trump administration’s decision to double tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, effective August 27, 2025. This tariff hike, targeting key sectors like seafood, textiles, jewelry, and auto parts, is a retaliation against India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. While the U.S. pursues economic nationalism through these sanctions, India maintains its strategic autonomy by engaging multilaterally with global powers, balancing ties with Russia, the U.S., and China. The report highlights growing distrust fueled by perceived U.S. double standards, as Trump’s administration exempts China from similar tariffs despite its Russian oil imports. This escalating economic conflict risks India’s curtailment of U.S. access to its tech and defense sectors, undermining American influence in the Global South and threatening the decades-long strategic cooperation aimed at counterbalancing China’s regional dominance. The strained relations mark a critical juncture for the Indo-U.S. partnership and the broader geopolitical balance.