Somebody Is Finally Exposing Them: Donald Trump Attacks India On Tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Friday took on India over "high tariffs", which, according to him, was reduced after he "exposed them".

Trump Attacks India

Addressing the nation from the White House, Trump stated, "India charges us massive tariffs. Massive. You can't even sell anything in India...They have agreed, by the way; they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done."

It comes at a time when the US under the Trump administration, has introduced reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose high levies on American goods. It will come to effect on April 2.

Trump has been been repeatedly targeting New Delhi on tariffs and even called India as "tariff king". Days ago, he slammed India in a speech to a joint session of Congress where he commented on tariffs on automobile imports. He said, " Under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and, in some cases, a rather large one. Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it's our turn to start using them against those other countries. On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, Canada, and countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair. India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent."

Notably, he has targeted Canada for levying 250% tariff on American milk products. "Canada has been ripping us off for years on tariffs for lumber and for dairy products. Two hundred and fifty percent. Nobody ever talks about that. Two hundred and fifty percent tariff, which is taking advantage of our farmers. So that's not going to happen anymore. We're going to be -- they'll be met with the exact same tariff unless they drop it," Trump stated.

India Taking Proactive Measures

However, India has taken proactive measures instead of declaring a trade war against the US like other countries. "India's conciliatory approach amid escalating global tariff tensions positions it as a standout player in an otherwise adversarial landscape. By pursuing trade negotiations, rationalising tariffs, and embracing competitiveness over protectionism, India is laying the groundwork for a stronger economic partnership with the United States," India Today quoted the brokerage Yes Securities as saying in its statement.

"However, the risks of dumping and currency volatility underscore the need for vigilance and adaptive policymaking. As the global trade war unfolds, India's ability to balance openness with resilience will determine its long-term success in navigating these turbulent waters," it added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Donald Trump last month where the two global leaders vowed to expand trade and investment to make their citizens more prosperous, nations stronger, economies more innovative, and supply chains more resilient.

According to a report in Economic Times, New Delhi is likely to do away with import duties on US agricultural products such as walnuts, almonds, apples, and cranberries. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday said that India should buy more defence products and lower tariffs on U.S. products for the two countries to be able to sign a "grand" bilateral deal, Reuters reported.

"We would like to focus on a bilateral conversation just between India and the United States - bring down the tariff levels that India has, that protects some of its areas," Lutnick said.