Kumar Bahukhandi
Trump Highlights Strong US-India Relations, Raises Tariff Concerns
US President Donald Trump on Thursday stated that he has a “very good relationship” with India. However, he pointed out that his main concern is the country’s high tariffs, calling it “one of the highest tariffing nations in the world.”
United States President Doland Trump stated that he has a “very good relationship” with India but noted that his main concern is the country’s high tariffs calling it “one of the highest tariffing nations in the world.” He reiterated his plan to impose reciprocal US tariffs on India beginning April 2.
In an interview with Breitbart News , a U.S.-based news and commentary website, Trump spoke about the country’s relationship with India.
“I have a very good relationship with India, but the only problem I have with India is they’re one of the highest tariffing nations in the world. I believe they’re going to probably be lowering those tariffs substantially, but on April 2, we will be charging them the same tariffs they charge us,” Trump told Breitbart News
On the India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEC), Trump said it was a “group of wonderful nations” banding together “countering other countries that look to hurt us on trade…We have a powerful group of partners in trade,” Trump said.
“Again, we can’t let those partners treat us badly, however, we do better in many ways frankly with our foes than we do with our friends. The ones that wouldn’t be as friendly to us in some cases treat us better than the ones that are supposed to be friendly, like the European Union, which treats us terribly on trade. India and everybody would think of them as an ally,” the US president said.
“I can say the same for others. But this is a group of wonderful nations that is countering other countries that look to hurt us on trade,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly criticised India for its high tariffs, calling it a “very high tariff nation.” He reiterated that reciprocal tariffs on countries imposing levies on American goods will take effect on April 2.
In the past, Trump has called India “tariff king” and a “big abuser”.
Last month, during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, Trump remarked that India has “been very strong on tariffs,” adding, “I don’t blame them necessarily, but it’s a different way of doing business. It’s very hard to sell into India because they have trade barriers, very strong tariffs.” Meanwhile, on March 10, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal informed a parliamentary panel in New Delhi that negotiations are ongoing and no trade tariff agreement has been reached between India and the US so far.
Trump has been criticising the high tariffs charged by India.
India had said it was looking at deepening trade ties with the US, including by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, under a bilateral trade agreement.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US last month, both sides announced plans to negotiate a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
