US President Donald Trump has once again highlighted India as a nation with very high tariffs, reiterating his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs from April 2 on countries charging substantial levies on American goods.
Speaking in the Oval Office while signing executive orders on Thursday, Trump specifically mentioned India alongside China and Canada, describing these countries as having significant tariff barriers impacting US exports.
"India is a very high tariff nation," Trump said. He then turned his attention to Canada, noting, "Canada charges us 250% for our milk product and other products, and a tremendous tariff with lumber. Yet we don't need their lumber; we have more lumber than they do."
Trump emphasized that current tariffs were only "temporary" and "small," but from April 2 onwards, the US would introduce "predominant reciprocal tariffs," marking a substantial shift in US trade policy. He described this move as a "big game changer for our country."
"We've been ripped off by every country in the world. Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them, and there'll be no getting out of it," Trump firmly stated.
This marked the second occasion within a span of two days that Trump explicitly criticized India's tariff regime. Earlier this week, in his address to the joint session of the US Congress, Trump described tariffs by India, China, the European Union, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada as being "tremendously higher" than those charged by the US.
He further cited India's automotive tariffs, highlighting that they exceeded 100%, labeling the situation as "very unfair."
Historically, Trump has repeatedly accused India of being a "tariff king" and a "big abuser," especially during trade discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last month, during Modi's visit to the White House, Trump mentioned that India's tariff system made it particularly difficult for American businesses to enter the Indian market due to its significant trade barriers.
In 2024, the US-India trade deficit reached USD 45.7 billion, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. According to US government data, total goods trade between the two nations was estimated at USD 129.2 billion in 2024. US exports to India stood at USD 41.8 billion, increasing by 3.4%, whereas imports from India totaled USD 87.4 billion, a rise of 4.5%.
Meanwhile, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington holding trade discussions with his American counterpart, Howard Lutnick, in hopes of addressing the disparities and potentially negotiating an agreement aimed at resolving long-standing trade disputes between the two nations.
Speaking in the Oval Office while signing executive orders on Thursday, Trump specifically mentioned India alongside China and Canada, describing these countries as having significant tariff barriers impacting US exports.
"India is a very high tariff nation," Trump said. He then turned his attention to Canada, noting, "Canada charges us 250% for our milk product and other products, and a tremendous tariff with lumber. Yet we don't need their lumber; we have more lumber than they do."
Trump emphasized that current tariffs were only "temporary" and "small," but from April 2 onwards, the US would introduce "predominant reciprocal tariffs," marking a substantial shift in US trade policy. He described this move as a "big game changer for our country."
"We've been ripped off by every country in the world. Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them, and there'll be no getting out of it," Trump firmly stated.
This marked the second occasion within a span of two days that Trump explicitly criticized India's tariff regime. Earlier this week, in his address to the joint session of the US Congress, Trump described tariffs by India, China, the European Union, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada as being "tremendously higher" than those charged by the US.
He further cited India's automotive tariffs, highlighting that they exceeded 100%, labeling the situation as "very unfair."
Historically, Trump has repeatedly accused India of being a "tariff king" and a "big abuser," especially during trade discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last month, during Modi's visit to the White House, Trump mentioned that India's tariff system made it particularly difficult for American businesses to enter the Indian market due to its significant trade barriers.
In 2024, the US-India trade deficit reached USD 45.7 billion, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. According to US government data, total goods trade between the two nations was estimated at USD 129.2 billion in 2024. US exports to India stood at USD 41.8 billion, increasing by 3.4%, whereas imports from India totaled USD 87.4 billion, a rise of 4.5%.
Meanwhile, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington holding trade discussions with his American counterpart, Howard Lutnick, in hopes of addressing the disparities and potentially negotiating an agreement aimed at resolving long-standing trade disputes between the two nations.
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