U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Indian imports if Washington and New Delhi fail to reach a trade agreement by August 1.

“India has been a good friend, but they’ve imposed some of the highest tariffs in the world,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “But now I’m in charge, and you just can’t do that.”

The warning places India among a growing list of countries facing the prospect of increased U.S. import taxes, as the Trump administration sets a firm deadline for resolving long-running trade disputes.

Trade negotiations between the two countries have stretched on for months, with periods of optimism frequently giving way to renewed caution. Despite several rounds of dialogue, a final agreement remains out of reach.

Washington has long criticized India’s trade policies, accusing it of excessive protectionism. Trump has previously labelled India the “tariff king” and a “big abuser” of trade norms, citing high duties on key U.S. exports.

Although the U.S. has not yet formally notified India of impending tariff hikes — as it has with over a dozen other trading partners — officials have made it clear that punitive measures could be enacted quickly if talks collapse.

Back in April, Trump announced proposed tariffs of up to 27% on Indian goods, but enforcement was paused to give negotiations more time.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said discussions with India remain ongoing.

“We continue to engage with our Indian counterparts and have had constructive conversations,” Greer said. However, he admitted that progress has stalled due to India’s entrenched protectionist approach, despite earlier expectations that a deal was close.

With the August 1 deadline fast approaching, both sides face mounting pressure to resolve their differences and avoid a fresh escalation in trade tensions.