Washington [US], July 30 (ANI): Just days ahead of the self-imposed August 1 deadline before tariffs come into effect, US President Donald Trump stated that the India-US trade deal was “working out very well” but hinted at a 20 to 25 percent tariff on New Delhi.
During a press interaction aboard Air Force One on Tuesday (local time), Trump responded to reports suggesting that India might be preparing for 20 to 25 percent tariffs, stating that India had been imposing higher tariffs on the US compared to other countries. He added that this would soon come to an end as he is now “in charge.”
However, Trump has not sent any formal letters to India announcing tariffs, as he did for many other nations.
“India has been a good friend. But India has charged basically more tariffs than almost any other country over the years. But now I’m in charge. And you just can’t do that. I think the trade deals are working out very well. Hopefully for everybody, but for the United States, they’re very, very good,” President Trump said.
Earlier on April 22, Trump imposed a tariff of 26 percent on Indian goods imported to the US, before announcing a pause on those “reciprocal” levies.
Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday stated that trade discussions between India and the US had been progressing “very well.”
“India today negotiates from a position of strength, a position of confidence. It is this very confidence that continuously encourages us to make good free trade agreements… Our discussions with the United States are progressing very well,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK last week, also noted that India had been actively engaged in discussions with the US on a potential Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), emphasizing ongoing contacts with American partners.
During a press conference following the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, Misri stated, “We are discussing that under a different vertical. All I can say is that our engagement is underway. The contacts are underway, and we’ll see how that goes.”
On July 14, a senior Indian government official said that India was making concrete progress toward finalizing a BTA with the US, with both countries committed to following the path outlined by their respective leaders.
Speaking on the ongoing trade negotiations, the official emphasized that India is “moving in terms of a BTA” and actively “looking at a mutually beneficial deal” that would serve the interests of both nations.
President Trump also used the opportunity to claim credit for brokering the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan following the recent conflict in May. The conflict was triggered by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks, which killed 26 people, and India’s subsequent response—‘Operation Sindoor’—involving precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
He praised India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its role in regional stability.
“Look, India, they’re my friends and he’s (PM Modi) my friend and you know they ended the war with Pakistan and by request and I was great and Pakistan did also. We did a lot of great settlements,” Trump said.
India has reportedly refuted the US president’s claims, noting that it was Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) who contacted his Indian counterpart to request an end to hostilities, after which the ceasefire was agreed upon.
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