New Delhi: In what could be more cause for worry for India, US president Donald Trump has announced on social media that he will slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran “effective immediately”, amidst protests in the country which have met with a crackdown according to reports.India is among Iran’s five largest trading partners.This is the latest example of Trump using tariffs as a tool in the global stage and could also affect China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Brazil and Russia.“Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 12.“This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.The Associated Press reports that the White House has declined to offer further comment or details about the president’s tariff announcement.India’s Embassy in Tehran notes in its official website that the two countries are “important trade partners“. Major Indian exports to Iran are basmati rice, tea, sugar, fresh fruits and drugs/pharmaceuticals. India imports apples, pistachios, dates and kiwi from Iran.India’s tariff imposition by the US is one of the highest at 50% – 25% of this is a “punitive” measure over its purchase of Russian crude oil. There is also the spectre of a US bill which proposes that any country trading in Russian-origin oil, gas and uranium will face a “punitive tariff” of at least 500% relative to the value of these goods and services.Figures of the Union commerce ministry show that trade of $ 1.68 billion took place between Iran and India in 2024-2025, with Indian exports worth $ 1.24 billion and imports at $ 440 million.Last year, the US had revoked the sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar port ending a seven-year exception that had allowed India to operate the facility as a route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. In May 2024, India had signed a long-term lease agreement granting state-run India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) the right to equip and operate the port for 10 years.