Trump Reaffirms Plan for Reciprocal Tariffs on India: ‘Want to Be Fair…’

US to Introduce Reciprocal Tariffs on India and China

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries like India and China, ensuring that American import duties match the tariffs levied by these nations on US products.

“We will soon impose reciprocal tariffs—they charge us, we charge them. Whatever a company or a country, such as India or China or any of them, charges, we want to be fair; hence, reciprocal,” Trump stated in a press briefing on Friday.

The US had considered implementing reciprocal tariffs before the COVID-19 pandemic, but those plans were delayed. “We have never done that. We were getting ready to do it until Covid hit,” he added.

India’s Tariffs: A Key Concern for Trump

Ahead of his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump took aim at India’s tariff policies, calling them the highest in the world and describing India as a difficult place for businesses to operate.

• During a press conference, he referred to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent meeting with PM Modi, speculating that Musk might be exploring expansion into India.
• “They met. I assume he wants to do business in India. But India is a very hard place to do business in because of the tariffs. They have the highest tariffs… It’s a hard place to do business,” Trump remarked.

Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Policy: A Shift in US Trade Strategy

Earlier this month, Trump officially announced his plan for reciprocal tariffs, signaling a major shift in US trade policy.

• The move aims to align US import tariffs with the tax rates imposed by other countries to promote fairness in trade relations.
• “I will charge a reciprocal tariff. Any country that charges the US a tariff will receive tariffs of the same amount. No more or less,” he declared.

This policy could significantly impact India-US trade relations, particularly in key sectors such as automobiles, electronics, and manufacturing.

Meeting with PM Modi and the Future of US-India Trade

Trump’s tariff announcement came just hours before his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, indicating that trade relations and tariff policies were high on the agenda.

The US and India have a history of trade tensions, particularly over tariffs on automobiles, technology, and agriculture products. While India imposes a 100% tariff on imported cars, which has been a point of contention for US manufacturers like Tesla, the US has also applied tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum exports.

Implications for Global Trade and Indian Markets

• If enforced, reciprocal tariffs could impact India’s exports to the US, including goods from sectors such as textiles, IT services, and pharmaceuticals.
• The move may also affect global trade dynamics, as other major economies may reconsider their trade policies in response.

With US elections approaching, Trump’s stance on tariffs could become a critical talking point in his economic and foreign policy agenda. Meanwhile, Indian businesses and policymakers will closely watch how these developments unfold and prepare for potential trade negotiations with the US.