US President Trump claimed that India would reduce taxes on American products, but Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal refuted this, stating that no such commitment was made.
Tariff War: US President Donald Trump announced on April 4th the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including India. Addressing a joint session of Congress, he stated that India imposes a 100% auto tariff on the US, therefore, his administration would impose similar tariffs on India.
India Rejects Trump's Tariff Claim
Trump claimed in a press conference that India had assured a reduction in import duties on American products. However, the Indian government rejected this claim. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal informed a parliamentary panel that India had made no such commitment to the US.
Barthwal clarified that no decision has been made on tariff reductions and that negotiations between the two countries are ongoing.
India's Trade Stance
Responding to concerns raised by members of the parliamentary committee regarding Trump's statements, Barthwal said that no conclusions could be drawn based solely on media reports or the US President's claims. He stated that India would protect its trade interests and maintain a b position in any agreement with the US.
India advocates for free trade and is committed to adopting a balanced trade policy.
Which Countries Will Be Affected by the New Tariffs?
Trump announced tariffs of 25% on products from Canada and Mexico, and 10-20% on goods from China. However, he extended the deadline for implementing this new policy by one month.
