India Delays U.S. Trade Talks After High Court Dumps Trump’s Tariffs

India has delayed plans to send a trade delegation to Washington, primarily due to uncertainty after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a source in India’s trade ministry said Sunday, Manoj Kumar reported for Reuters.

The uncertainty over tariffs following the recent judgment was the main reason for the postponement.

Among the first reactions from Asian nations to the ruling, the delay follows Trump’s move Saturday to impose a 15% tariff — the maximum allowed by law — on US imports from all countries.

“The decision to defer the visit was taken after discussions between officials of the two countries,” the source said.

“No new date for the visit has been decided.”

The uncertainty over tariffs following the recent judgment was the main reason for the postponement, the source added.

The delegation had been set to leave Sunday for talks aimed at finalizing an interim trade deal after both countries agreed on a framework for Washington to cut punitive tariffs of 25% on some Indian exports tied to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases.

US tariffs on Indian goods were expected to fall to 18%, while India agreed to buy US goods worth $500 billion over five years, ranging from energy supplies to aircraft parts, precious metals, and technology products.

India’s Congress party had called for the interim pact to be put on hold, urging renegotiation and questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to issue a joint statement before the court’s ruling.