Trump Hints at 25% Tariffs on Indian Goods, Repeats Brokering Ceasefire Claim Hours After PM's Denial
New Delhi: Even as India and the United States are holding talks to chalk out a bilateral trade agreement, US president Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 29) hinted at the fact that India could face tariffs up to 25 per cent on its exports to the US.
When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One if the US would impose a 20–25% tariff rate on Indian goods, Trump responded by saying, “I think so.”
“India has been a good friend, but India has charged basically more tariffs than almost any other country. You just can’t do that,” added Trump, reported Mint.
Even as Trump spoke of imposing 25 per cent tariffs, he once again repeated his claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan at the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, in May this year.
“They ended the war with Pakistan at my request,” said Trump.
Interestingly, Trump’s statement came just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Lok Sabha that no world leader had asked India to stop its military action against Pakistan during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Earlier on Tuesday, after the end of the debate in the Lok Sabha, leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi had told reporters that Trump had claimed 29 times that he had brokered the ceasefire.
"Narendra Modi did not clearly say that Trump is lying. Trump has said 29 times that he brought about a ceasefire, but Narendra Modi did not respond to it," said Gandhi, reported Press Trust of India.
Trump’s warning about high tariffs being imposed on India comes at a time when Commerce Ministry officials have said that a US government delegation will visit India on August 25 to hold discussions on the bilateral trade agreement, reported The Tribune.
Earlier, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had told the US media that more talks were needed between the two countries.
While he had appreciated India’s willingness to discuss opening parts of its market, he pointed out that New Delhi’s trade policies were still largely protectionist.
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