Trump has not done away with India and tariffs yet !! Says actions against India is in effect "Action" on Russia for the Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump’s administration warned in court papers that striking down tariffs on countries including India would expose the United States to trade retaliation and undercut efforts to secure peace abroad.

In an appeal to the US Supreme Court, accessed by India Today, Solicitor General John Sauer urged justices to preserve the duties, which a lower court found unlawful. “The stakes in this case could not be higher,” the filing said, calling tariffs “a crucial aspect of our push for peace” in Ukraine and a shield against economic catastrophe.

"How do you know there’s no action? " remarked Donald Trump to a pointed question from a Polish journalist.

"Would you say that putting secondary sanctions on India, the largest purchaser outside of China, they’re almost equal. Would you say there was no action? 

That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia. You call that no action? And I haven’t done phase two yet or phase three."

He also told a Polish journalist at a special briefing.

"But when you say there’s no action, I think you ought to get yourself a new job," Trump used the rhetoric power to target the Polish scribe.  

The US slapped secondary sanctions on India for continuing to purchase Russian oil and signalled that more measures could follow.   

While speaking recently on The Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump repeated his familiar refrain. "India was the most highly tariffed nation in the world, and you know what, they’ve offered me no tariffs in India anymore. No tariffs," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stood firm, saying domestic priorities would not be compromised under external pressure. "Pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it," Modi said.

Double dose of support and growth for India: PM praises GST reforms, jabs Congress

The government, after the 56th meeting of the GST Council, approved the rationalisation of GST rates, abolishing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. The new slab structure will come into effect from September 22, the first day of Navaratri.  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced sweeping changes cut taxes on a wide range of consumer essentials, medicines, and automobiles, while introducing a special high tax slab for luxury and sin goods.  

The government, after the 56th meeting of the GST Council, approved the rationalisation of GST rates, abolishing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. The new slab structure will come into effect from September 22, the first day of Navaratri.  

The Council cleared a two-tier tax structure with rates of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, along with a new 40 per cent slab for sin and luxury goods. However, tobacco products and cigarettes will continue to attract 28 per cent GST, plus compensation cess, till loans are repaid.

"While the media has dubbed these reforms as GST 2.0, I say it is a double dose of growth and support. It means savings for the ordinary household on one hand, and strength for the nation's economy on the other," PM Modi said while addressing the National Awardee teachers in Delhi.  

Items like UHT milk, paneer, chenna and all kinds of Indian breads, will move from 5 per cent to nil. Spectacles will now be taxed at 5 per cent.

"Summarising the reforms done in GST, it will add Panchratnas to the Indian economy. First, the tax stream will be simpler. 

The quality of life of the citizens of India will increase, consumption and growth will increase, the ease of doing business will boost investment and employment, and cooperative federalism will become stronger for a developed India," the PM stressed.  

PM Modi further said that the reforms would benefit almost every section of society. "The GST reforms will benefit the poor, the neo middle-class, middle-class, farmers, women, students, youngsters all alike. Cutting down on the tax will benefit everyone to a great extent. 

From paneer (cottage cheese) to shampoos and soaps, everything will be very cheap now," the PM added.

As part of the restructuring, 175 broad items of mass consumption, including milk, paneer, snacks and bread, will become cheaper. Goods such as hair oil, toilet soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, tableware, and kitchenware will now fall under the 5 per cent bracket.

Around 99 per cent of items currently taxed at 12 per cent will now fall under 5 per cent, including natural menthol, fertilisers, handicrafts, and several labour-intensive sectors such as marble and granite blocks. Additionally, 33 life-saving drugs and medicines will move from 12 per cent to nil.

Nearly 90 per cent of goods currently taxed at 28 per cent will shift to 18 per cent. This includes air-conditioning machines, televisions above 32 inches - with all TVs now under 18 per cent - dishwashing machines, cement, and small cars and motorcycles below 300 cc.