Trump floats new tariffs on Indian rice — says US won’t tolerate “dumping

US May Impose Fresh Tariffs on Indian Rice, Trump Signals Tough Stand

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky

Last Updated: December 09, 2025

Summary: Trump warns of fresh tariffs on Indian rice, claiming imports hurt US farmers by “dumping.”

The United States has once again put pressure on India over agricultural trade. During a White House meeting with farm-state lawmakers and Cabinet officials, President Donald Trump signalled he could impose new tariffs on certain Indian imports — especially rice — calling it unfair competition to U.S. farmers.

Trump said the surge in cheap foreign rice — including from India — is undercutting American growers. “They shouldn’t be dumping… You can’t do that,” he said, adding that tariffs are a quick, straightforward way to “solve the problem.”

The remarks come alongside a $12 billion farm-relief package unveiled at the same gathering — a move that underscored the administration’s intent to protect domestic agriculture amid growing complaints of price pressure from imported grains.

For India, which exported around 2.34 lakh tonnes of rice to the U.S. in the latest full fiscal year, the threat is serious — although some industry voices argue the impact may be limited as the U.S. is not the largest buyer of Indian rice globally.

The possible tariff hike adds fresh complexity to U.S.–India trade relations, especially since both sides have been trying to negotiate broader trade agreements. As talks continue, Indian exporters and government officials will likely be closely watching Washington’s next moves.