Donald Trump Says He “Heard India Will Reduce Tariffs Significantly”
In a press conference at the Oval Office in the White House, President Trump was questioned regarding reciprocal tariffs that he would formally announce on April 2, and whether that would drive away some of America's allies.
WASHINGTON:
Fewer than twenty-four hours ahead of time when he is to detonate the tit-for-tat tariff bomb on the world, including fellow citizens back home to handle, Donald Trump made an astonishing allegation – that he was told India would lower tariffs on US imports considerably.
At a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House, President Trump was questioned regarding reciprocal tariffs that he would formally announce on April 2, and whether that would drive away some of America’s allies.
In his response, President Trump stated, “I think a lot of them will drop their tariffs because they were being done in an unfair way. They’ve done this for years. If you look at the European Union, they already dropped their tariffs on cars down to two-and-a-half per cent. It was announced a couple of days ago. And I think I heard just a short while ago that India will be dropping its tariffs very substantially.”
Mr Trump however, refused to provide names or details which support his assertion that India will be lowering tariffs considerably, which have existed for decades. There has not been any official confirmation on the same by India either.
President Trump also refuted that his retaliatory tariffs could drive allies and partners further towards China. “No, it won’t”, stated the US President curtly.
US GEARS UP FOR ‘LIBERATION DAY’
India and the US have been engaged in talks on a bilateral trade agreement even in the face of repeated threats of tit-for-tat tariffs by the Trump Administration. The US President has declared April 2 as “Liberation Day” for the United States.
“A lot of countries will drop its tariffs,” out of fear of America’s action to do to them, as they do to us, asserted Mr Trump.
On several occasions, Donald Trump has referred to India as the “tariff king” and even stated that India is among the largest “abuser of tariffs”.
A while ago, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the “unfair” trade practices in India’s tariff regime, pointing out how India charges 100 percent tariffs on US agricultural imports. She also referred to similar high tariff regimes by the EU (50 per cent for American dairy items), Japan (700 per cent on rice) and Canada (300 per cent on butter and cheese). They impede and damage US exports and results in imbalances and US trade deficits, she asserted.
“This has made it near impossible for American goods to find their way into these markets, and it keeps a lot of Americans out of business and unemployed over the past few decades,” she continued.
STEPS TAKEN BY INDIA SO FAR
Though all nations have promised to reciprocate US retaliatory tariffs, India has been amongst the handful of nations which desire to steer clear of hostility and tension, and has therefore been attempting to discover means to handle the India-US trade relationship with a smile.
India has already cut tariffs on some items such as Harley Davidson motorbikes and American bourbon whiskey. India has reportedly also proposed cutting import duties on some farm products, as per a Reuters report. News agency Reuters further asserts that India has proposed cuts on over half of US imports worth $23 billion – but only if US excludes India from any tit-for-tat tariff.
In its 2025 Union Budget, India has already made customs duty cuts on US solar cells, machinery, and luxury vehicles. India also announced removal of the 6 per cent tax on digital ads from April 1, 2025 – a benefit that will accrue largely to US tech companies such as Meta, Google, and Amazon.
India and the US also hope to accelerate discussions of a mega trade deal well ahead of its autumn deadline.
