Trump slams India-U.S. trade ties as “a totally one-sided disaster” following Modi’s China visit.
After Indian PM Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize India’s trade practices and deepen tariff measures.
Key Points:
- Tariff Blowback: Trump imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing India’s continued oil and arms purchases from Russia. Secondary duties of 25% were added last month.
- Zero-Tariff Offer Rejected: India reportedly offered to cut tariffs to zero on select goods, but Trump dismissed it as “too late,” claiming the offer should’ve come “years ago.”
- Trade Imbalance Claims: Trump accused India of selling “massive amounts of goods” to the U.S. while blocking American exports with high tariffs. WTO data shows India’s average tariff on U.S. goods is 6.2%, compared to 2.4% U.S. tariffs on Indian imports.
- India Pushes Back: India called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and highlighted hypocrisy in Western nations criticizing its Russian trade while maintaining their own.
- Failed Deal: A proposed “zero-for-zero” tariff deal on steel, auto components, and pharmaceuticals collapsed earlier this year, paving the way for Trump’s aggressive tariff stance.
(source hindustantimes.com)
—Agencies
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