3 days ago
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US President Donald Trump again repeated his claim that New Delhi offered him a "no tariff" deal as he justified his move to impose a 50 per cent levy on Indian goods. In an interview, Trump claimed that he understands tariffs better than any human being, slamming India, accusing it of being "most tariffed nation" in the world.
Trump says tariffs forced India’s offer
"China kills us with tariffs, India kills us with tariffs, Brazil kills us with tariffs. I've understood tariffs better than they did; I understood tariffs better than any human beings in the world. India was the most highly tariffed nation in the world, and you know what, they've offered me no tariffs in India anymore. No tariffs. If I didn't have tariffs, they would never make that offer. So you have to have tariffs," Donald Trump said, foreign media reported.
This is not the first time that Trump has mentioned a "no tariff deal."
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Claims of a one-sided trade relationship
Earlier, on Monday, he claimed that the business relationship between the two countries for many decades has been "totally one-sided", "one-sided disaster" and also that "they have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it's getting late".
"What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us. In other words, they sell us massive amounts of goods, their biggest 'client,' but we sell them very little - Until now a totally one sided relationship, and it has been for many decades. The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high Tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India," he said.
Criticism of India’s ties with Russia
"It has been a totally one-sided disaster! Also, India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the US They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it's getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder!!!" he added.
New Delhi is facing global uncertainties due to heightened economic tensions following the US imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, which was supplemented by an additional 25 per cent due to its purchase of Russian crude oil.
Trump faces backlash over tariffs
However, Donald Trump has himself faced severe backlash from his own country's political clout after a US appeals court ruled the tariffs "illegal." Ex-US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan has alleged that Trump has "thrown away" ties with India over Pakistan's willingness to do business with Trump's family.
"US has worked to build a relationship with India, a country that we should be aligned with on technology, talent, economics and so many issues. And align with dealing with strategic threats from China. Now. I think because of Pakistan's willingness to do business with the Trump family, Trump has thrown away India's relationship on the side. Germany or Japan will look at that (India) and say that could be us tomorrow. America's friends will think that they can't rely on us in any way." Jake Sullivan told MeidasTouch.
US-India forum urges caution on Trump’s remarks
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) urged caution over Trump’s recent statements, suggesting that some of his claims may not carry much weight.
Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of USISPF, said that certain comments made by the US President should be assessed carefully, as not all of them may have substance. He noted that statements made on platforms like Truth Social could hold varying degrees of importance.
According to Aghi, the people of India are mature enough to make decisions in the country’s best interest, regardless of such remarks.
(With inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·