US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and signaled a massive 200% duty on pharmaceuticals starting next year—moves that could significantly impact India, one of America’s major trade partners.

“Today we’re doing copper. I believe the tariff on copper, we’re going to make it 50 per cent,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. The new duty, likely effective by August 1, follows previous levies on steel and aluminium, and marks an expansion of Trump's sectoral trade strategy since returning to office.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that further tariffs on pharmaceuticals are expected after a one-year transition, giving foreign manufacturers time to shift production to the US. “They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 per cent,” Trump warned, emphasizing the administration’s push for domestic drug production.

The impact on India could be significant. The US accounted for $360 million—or 17%—of India’s $2 billion copper exports in FY25, making it the third-largest market after Saudi Arabia and China. While the domestic sector may absorb reduced US demand, the real blow could come from the pharma tariffs.

India’s pharmaceutical exports to the US touched $9.8 billion in FY25, a 21% jump from the previous year and 40% of India’s total pharma exports. A 200% tariff could make Indian generics unaffordable in the US, disrupting supply chains and undercutting one of India’s most vital export sectors.

Trump also reiterated his threat to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS nations, which he dismissed as “not a serious grouping.”

India is racing to finalize a mini-trade deal with Washington. If signed before the August 1 tariff deadline, it could shield Indian exports from these sweeping duties.

US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and signaled a massive 200% duty on pharmaceuticals starting next year—moves that could significantly impact India, one of America’s major trade partners.

“Today we’re doing copper. I believe the tariff on copper, we’re going to make it 50 per cent,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. The new duty, likely effective by August 1, follows previous levies on steel and aluminium, and marks an expansion of Trump's sectoral trade strategy since returning to office.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that further tariffs on pharmaceuticals are expected after a one-year transition, giving foreign manufacturers time to shift production to the US. “They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 per cent,” Trump warned, emphasizing the administration’s push for domestic drug production.

The impact on India could be significant. The US accounted for $360 million—or 17%—of India’s $2 billion copper exports in FY25, making it the third-largest market after Saudi Arabia and China. While the domestic sector may absorb reduced US demand, the real blow could come from the pharma tariffs.

India’s pharmaceutical exports to the US touched $9.8 billion in FY25, a 21% jump from the previous year and 40% of India’s total pharma exports. A 200% tariff could make Indian generics unaffordable in the US, disrupting supply chains and undercutting one of India’s most vital export sectors.

Trump also reiterated his threat to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS nations, which he dismissed as “not a serious grouping.”

India is racing to finalize a mini-trade deal with Washington. If signed before the August 1 tariff deadline, it could shield Indian exports from these sweeping duties.