Indian Rupee Plunges to Record Low on Trump Tariff Warning

• Rupee hits 88.102 vs dollar as Trump threatens tariffs over India's Russian oil imports.

• Rupee falls ahead of RBI meeting; 1% rate cuts expected to ease economic challenges.

The Indian rupee weakened to its lowest level ever against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, pressured by renewed threats from President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on India due to its ongoing imports of Russian oil.

Data shows that the USDINR exchange rate, which reflects the amount of rupees needed to purchase one dollar, surged by as much as 0.5% to an unprecedented high of 88.102 rupees per dollar before easing slightly below the 88 rupee mark.

Trump's warnings came just a day after he announced 25% reciprocal tariffs on India, promising to raise the tariff further and hinting at the possibility of slapping levies up to 100% on key purchasers of Russian crude oil, including India and China.

Despite mounting international pressure following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India intends to continue buying Russian oil, Reuters reported. New Delhi justifies its relationship with Moscow by emphasizing its deep-rooted diplomatic ties and critical economic needs, particularly regarding oil supply.

Additionally, Trump expressed disapproval of India's participation in the BRICS alliance, alleging that the group undermines U.S. interests.

The rupee’s decline comes ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's policy meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The central bank is widely expected to lower interest rates again to counter rising economic challenges and to support liquidity within the domestic market. So far in 2025, the RBI has implemented a total rate reduction of 1%.

Market participants are closely watching the outcome in anticipation of further monetary easing that could influence the rupee’s trajectory amidst ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions.