The 26% figure was the rate announced for India when the United States introduced its reciprocal-tariff program on April 2, 2025. It is not, by itself, a reliable description of the later policy. A September 2025 White House fact sheet described a separate additional 25% tariff tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil; a February 6, 2026 U.S.-India statement then described an 18% reciprocal rate for specified Indian-origin goods under an amended order. The treatment of any particular import depends on its entry date, origin, product classification, applicable tariff authority, exclusions, and whether the announced interim agreement has taken effect.
What the 26% announcement meant
On April 2, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14257, creating a reciprocal-tariff framework. The 26% India rate was part of the administration’s initial announcement under that framework. The order declared a national emergency and stated the administration’s view that trade deficits, differences in tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and trading partners’ economic policies threatened U.S. national security and the economy. That is the administration’s stated rationale, not an independently established finding about the causes or effects of trade deficits.
The order also set implementation dates and included customs provisions and product exclusions. As a result, the announced country rate did not necessarily mean that every product from India would face the same tariff in every shipment or at every point in time.
How the policy changed after April 2025
September 2025: a separate additional tariff
A September 5, 2025 White House fact sheet said the administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India in response to continued purchases of Russian oil. This was a later measure, not a revision of the original April announcement’s 26% figure.
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February 2026: an announced 18% reciprocal rate for specified goods
In a February 6, 2026 joint statement, the United States and India announced a framework for an interim agreement. The statement says the United States would apply an 18% reciprocal tariff under Executive Order 14257 to specified originating Indian goods, including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, plastics and rubber, organic chemicals, home décor, artisanal products, and certain machinery.
These announcements should not be treated as a simple arithmetic sequence in which 26%, 25%, and 18% can be added, subtracted, or applied together to every Indian import. They refer to different actions and periods. The correct treatment depends on the shipment’s date of entry, country of origin under applicable rules, tariff classification, relevant tariff authority, and any exclusion or product-specific provision.
What the February 2026 framework said about other goods
The joint statement described several provisions that are distinct from the general 18% rate:
- Potential reciprocal-tariff removals: The statement says reciprocal tariffs would be removed for products identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners annex, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts. These removals are conditional on successful conclusion of the interim agreement.
- Aircraft and aircraft parts: The statement describes separate treatment for certain aircraft and aircraft parts. The details are product-specific; do not assume that the general 18% rate applies in the same way.
- Automotive parts: The framework describes a preferential tariff-rate quota, a distinct arrangement from a general tariff reduction.
The statement also addresses rules of origin and preferential market access. These details matter because a product’s treatment can turn on where it originates under the relevant rules, not merely where it was shipped from.
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What the two countries proposed to do
Under the announced framework, India said it would eliminate or reduce tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and a range of U.S. food and agricultural products. The countries also identified non-tariff barriers for action, including Indian medical-device barriers, ICT import licensing, acceptance of standards, and food and agricultural barriers. They reaffirmed negotiations toward a broader bilateral trade agreement launched in February 2025.
The White House fact sheet on the framework said implementation would proceed in the coming weeks. The official materials reviewed do not establish whether every provision took effect or confirm the framework’s legal status as of October 8, 2026. An announced framework, a completed agreement, and an implemented customs measure are not interchangeable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Trade figures behind the U.S. announcement
The figures below are historical U.S. government statistics and tariff comparisons, not estimates of the effect of the later measures.
| Measure | Figure and qualification |
|---|---|
| U.S. goods trade with India | $129.2 billion in 2024, according to USTR. |
| U.S. goods trade deficit with India | $45.7 billion in 2024, according to USTR; the agency said this was a 5.1% ($2.2 billion) increase over 2023. |
| Average applied tariffs | USTR’s April 2025 fact sheet reported 17% for India and 3.3% for the United States. |
| Average applied agricultural tariffs | USTR’s April 2025 fact sheet reported 39% for India and 5% for the United States. |
USTR’s India trade profile provides the agency’s trade context. The executive order also cites World Trade Organization average most-favored-nation tariff figures of 17% for India and 3.3% for the United States. Those are described as MFN rates in the order and should not be confused with USTR’s separately worded average applied tariff figures.
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How to determine the rate for a specific import
A headline country rate is not enough to calculate the customs duty on a shipment. Importers need to check the applicable rules for the particular entry:
Quick Recap
- Identify the entry date. Tariff treatment can change as orders are amended or new measures take effect.
- Establish the product’s country of origin. Apply the relevant rules of origin; shipment from India alone does not establish Indian origin.
- Classify the product. Use the applicable customs tariff classification, since exclusions and special provisions can be product-specific.
- Check every potentially applicable tariff authority. Reciprocal tariffs, additional measures, and Section 232-related measures are not necessarily the same tariff. The joint statement distinguishes reciprocal treatment from certain Section 232-related measures.
- Verify exclusions, quotas, and conditions. Check whether a product is excluded, covered by a quota or separate treatment, or subject to a concession that depends on the interim agreement’s successful conclusion.
- Confirm current customs instructions. Consult current official tariff schedules and customs guidance before assigning a rate or filing an entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection trade portal is a starting point for official trade guidance.
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