Meanwhile, MAGA supporters have intensified online campaigns against foreign workers, particularly Indians, alleging they take away American jobs. Indians make up more than 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders, followed by Chinese nationals at about 12 per cent.This development comes at a time when India–US ties is at an all-time low, with Washington set to slap 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.The US had imposed an additional 25 per cent ad valorem duty above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs announced on August 1, raising the total tariff burden to 50 per cent, the highest imposed on any country, along with Brazil.The move drew swift condemnation from New Delhi.In a sharply worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “It is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”The MEA also described the tariffs as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and warned it would take “all actions necessary to protect its national interests.”Trump had said that a lot more ‘secondary sanctions’ are upcoming, after he was asked why India was singled out for penalties over doing business with Russia.“You are going to see a lot more. You are going to see so much secondary sanctions,” Trump had said during a White House event.The Trump administration has been highly critical of India for its procurement of discounted crude oil from Russia.Earlier, Peter Navarro, former trade adviser to United States President Donald Trump, on Friday accused India of acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin” by purchasing discounted Russian crude oil, refining it, and exporting the products at premium prices globally.
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