Vance Defends Trump’s Trade War, Bats for F-35 Deal Claiming He Met ‘a Lot of IAF People’

Jaipur: United States Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday (April 22) defended President Donald Trump over the trade wars which have resulted from the latter's imposition of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs and also slammed previous administrations of the US, saying they used to see India as a source of low-cost labour.

He also made a strong case for a military deal between India and the US involving the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to India, even though experts have raised serious questions about the practicality of such a deal from India's perspective.

Vance, who was speaking at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur on Tuesday during his visit to the city, also alluded to Western leaders who talk about the adverse effects of climate change-related issues such as burning too much fuel, and termed them as people who are stricken by “self-doubt”.

“There's a pride in being Indian, a feeling of excitement about the days that lie ahead. Now, it's a striking contrast with too many in the West, where some in our leadership class seem stricken by self-doubt and even fear of the future. To them, humanity is always one bad decision away from catastrophe,” said Vance.

“The world will soon end, they tell us because we're burning too much fuel or making too many things or having too many children,” he said.

Vance added that rather than investing in the future, such leaders too often retreat, with some even passing laws that force their nations to use less power.

“They cancel nuclear and other energy generation facilities, even as their choices, the choices of these leaders, lead to more dependence on foreign adversaries. Meanwhile, their message to their friends, to countries like India, is to tell them that they are not allowed to grow well. President Trump rejects these failed ideas. He wants America to grow. He wants India to grow, and he wants to build a future with our partners all over the world,” said Vance.

Vance says India and US have finalised deal, heaps praises on Modi

US Vice President J.D. Vance, second lady Usha Vance and their children visit the Amber Fort in Jaipur on April 22, 2025. Photo: PTI.

Vance, who had arrived in Jaipur on Monday night along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children, visited the Amer Fort on Tuesday morning. He was greeted by Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and deputy chief minister Diya Kumari at the historical monument, where his family was welcomed by traditional Rajasthani dancers and elephants.

Later, while speaking at the RIC, Vance defended Trump over the imposition of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs which has resulted in trade wars.

“Now, critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be farther from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together,” said Vance.

He also attacked previous administrations of the US for criticising Modi.

“Now we're not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness or even one of condescension. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour, on the one hand, even as they criticised the prime minister's government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world.

“And as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he has got approval ratings that would make me jealous,” said Vance.

Vance said that both the US and Indian governments are hard at work on a trade agreement built on shared priorities by creating new jobs, building durable supply chains and achieving prosperity for workers.

“In our meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Modi and I made very good progress on all those points, and we are especially excited to formally announce that America and India have officially finalised the terms of reference for the trade negotiation,” said Vance.

While Vance didn’t mention revising the ‘reciprocal’ tariffs imposed on India, he said that some of the “non-tariff barriers” for American access to the Indian market could be dropped.

“One suggestion I have is maybe consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market. Now I've talked about this, of course, with Prime Minister Modi. Look, President Trump and I know that Prime Minister Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain. It's one of the reasons why we respect them,” said Vance.

“And we don't blame Prime Minister Modi for fighting for India's industry, but we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers, and we believe that we can fix that to the mutual benefit of both the United States and India," he added.

Vance bats for F-35 deal, says he ‘met a lot of people from the Indian Air Force’

Vance said that the US seeks to strengthen its collaboration with India in the defence sector.

“From javelins to striker combat vehicles, our nations will co-produce many of the munitions and equipment that we will need to deter foreign aggressors, not because we seek war, but because we seek peace, and we believe the best path to peace is through mutual strength,” said Vance.

Vance added that if India and the US fail to keep pace, there would be “dire consequences”.

“I believe that if our nations fail to keep pace, the consequences for the Indo-Pacific, but really the consequences for the entire world, will be quite dire. And this, again, is where India and the United States have so much to offer one another,” he added.

“It's fitting that India, this year, is hosting the Quad Leaders’ summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment. Both of us know that the region must remain safe from any hostile powers that seek to dominate. Growing relations between our countries over the last decade are part of what led America to designate India a major defence partner, the first of that class,” said Vance.

During his address at the RIC, Vance also made a pitch for the hugely expensive American F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters, which the US is eager to sell to India.

“We want to work together more, and we want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which, of course, we believe is the best in class. The American fifth-generation F-35 for example, will give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend your airspace and protect your people like never before. And I've met a lot of great people from the Indian Air Force just in the last couple of days,” said Vance.

Experts had previously told The Wire that apart from being hugely expensive, the F-35 does not fit into the IAFs overall operational requirements and profile. Senior IAF personnel are concerned over whether the putative US fighter purchase could end up being more a “political” buy rather than an operationally and financially practical one.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.