In a striking claim that could signal a major shift in Indo-US trade dynamics, former US President Donald Trump asserted that India has offered to remove "100% of tariffs" on American goods. However, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar promptly responded, saying trade talks are still “complicated” and no agreement has been finalized.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said, “They [India] make it almost impossible to do business. Do you know they’re willing to cut 100% of their tariffs for the United States?” While this statement hinted at a possible breakthrough in trade relations, Trump quickly added a note of caution: “That’ll come soon. I’m in no rush. Look, everybody wants to make a deal with us.”
Trump, who has long criticized India’s trade policies, portrayed New Delhi as a prime example of a country with high trade barriers. “I’m using trade to settle scores and make peace,” he said, also referencing trade overtures to Pakistan and his administration’s attempts to mediate tensions between India and its western neighbor after the Pahalgam terror attack.
However, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar struck a more measured tone during a press interaction on Thursday. “Between India and the US, trade talks have been going on. These are complicated negotiations. Nothing is decided till everything is,” Jaishankar said. “Any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial; it has to work for both countries. That would be our expectation from the trade deal. Until that is done, any judgment on it would be premature.”
The divergent narratives come as Washington signals an aggressive push to reshape global trade norms. Trump recently hinted at revising import duties across multiple nations. “I’m not planning to make deals with everybody,” he said, referring to a broader strategy where the US may unilaterally adjust tariffs over the next few weeks.
The former president also pointed to his recent negotiations with China, stating that the US had reduced its tariff rate from 145% to 30%, while China brought down its duties from 125% to 10%, suggesting that diplomacy through trade can yield results.
