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“U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium will impact Indian exporters, as it would hurt their profitability,” think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Saturday (May 31, 2025.)

On May 30, Mr. Trump announced that he would double the existing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from June 4. This hike comes under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a law that allows the President to impose tariffs or other trade restrictions if imports are deemed a threat to national security.

Mr. Trump originally invoked this provision in 2018 to set the 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminium. He raised tariffs on aluminium to 25% in February 2025. “For India, the consequences are direct,” the (GTRI) said.

In 2024-25, India exported $4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the U.S., with key categories, including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel and $860 million in aluminium and related articles.

“These exports are now exposed to sharply higher U.S. tariffs, threatening the profitability of Indian producers and exporters,” GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said.

India has already issued a formal notice at the World Trade Organization (WTO) signalling its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to the earlier steel tariffs. “With Trump now doubling the tariffs, it remains to be seen whether India will carry out the retaliation by increasing tariffs on certain U.S. exports within a month,” he said.