U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a sharp statement regarding import duties, or tariffs, imposed by India. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is his friend, but at the trade level, India "doesn't do very well with us" because India imposes significantly high tariffs on imports.
Trump's statement has sparked intense discussions in political and diplomatic circles. He bluntly stated that India is one of the countries with the highest tariff rates in the world, and the United States is objecting to this.
Trump Says – Seeing What Comes of Talks with India
When asked if he was ready to negotiate with India on tariffs, Trump said, "We're talking to India right now, seeing what happens." He reiterated that India is among the countries that levy the highest tariffs in the world, which is detrimental to American companies and products.
He also added that India is willing to cut some tariffs, but it remains to be seen whether American interests will be fully met.
Additional Fees Could Be Implemented from Friday
According to Donald Trump, he will implement a revised tariff policy on some countries, including India, from Friday. Under this policy, "penalty" like taxes will also be levied to put pressure on countries that are going against American interests.
According to him, this step is being taken not only for trade balance but also to strengthen America's position at the geopolitical level.
Displeasure with India's Closeness to Russia Along with 25 Percent Tariff
Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on products coming from India. In addition, he has also expressed displeasure with India for buying crude oil and military equipment from Russia.
He says that India's trade proximity to Russia, especially during the Ukraine war, is against America's strategic thinking. He alleged that the war in Ukraine is possible because of the funds Russia is receiving from oil and weapons, and India is playing a major role in this situation.
Response Also Received from India
After Trump's statement, the Indian government has also become active. The Ministry of Commerce has issued an official statement saying that India and the United States have been in discussions for the past few months on a “fair, balanced and mutually beneficial” bilateral trade agreement.
The ministry emphasized that India is committed to an agreement that benefits both countries and maintains stability in trade. The ministry also said that the talks are now in the final stages.
India's Role Important in American Strategy
The United States has long seen India as a b strategic partner against China. During Trump's tenure as well, many agreements were signed between India and the United States in areas such as defense, technology, and energy.
But the United States has always objected to India's relations with Russia. Trump's latest statements are a continuation of this discontent, where on one hand he calls India a friend, and on the other hand he questions its trade and diplomatic policies.
Target of Doubling Trade by 2030 May Be Affected
A target has been set to take bilateral trade between India and the United States to $500 billion by 2030. But with Trump's decisions such as tariffs and penalties, reaching this goal may now become more complex.
An Indian official told ANI that if the US imposes heavy tariffs on India, it will make exports from India expensive, which could slow down trade between the two countries.
Questions Also Raised on Modi and Trump's Friendship
Even though Trump repeatedly says that Narendra Modi is his "friend," his statements clearly show that there are deep differences between them on trade and strategic issues.
Events such as 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump' were held between Modi and Trump, in which both leaders publicly displayed their friendship.
India's Energy Purchases from Russia Also Became a Cause of Controversy
Trump's anger is also due to the fact that India is buying oil from Russia at cheap prices, while the United States and Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia. This policy of India goes against America's global strategy in which it wants to economically isolate Russia.
Trump said that India's energy policy is providing economic support to Russia, which is helping it to continue the war.
Markets and Investors Also Closely Monitoring
The impact of Trump's statements may be seen not only at the political level but also on the economic front. Many goods sent from India to the American market are now likely to be subject to higher duties, which may affect exports.
Along with this, American investors may also be cautious about India's policies, especially when doing business in India becomes expensive due to tariffs.
