US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that India has proposed to eliminate tariffs on American goods, a move that comes amidst increasing trade tensions between the two nations. This statement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he described the current US-India relationship as “one-sided.”
Trump highlighted the urgency of India’s offer, stating, “They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.” His comments follow the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian imports to the US, which can reach as high as 50 percent, raising concerns about the future of bilateral trade.
While Trump made these remarks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was attending the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in China, alongside leaders like Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia. This gathering of over 20 non-Western countries comes at a time when many nations are reassessing their economic alliances in light of growing pressure from the United States.
The summit provided a platform for Xi to advocate for a new global security and economic framework that emphasizes the needs of the “Global South,” positioning it as a counter to US influence. In a display of camaraderie, Modi and Putin were seen walking hand-in-hand towards Xi, symbolizing their united front against Western trade pressures.
Despite the strengthening of the US-India relationship in recent years, particularly during Trump’s first term due to shared concerns about China’s growing power, tensions have resurfaced. Trump’s administration has threatened to impose tariffs on India as a response to its continued purchase of Russian oil, which contradicts US efforts to curb Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In light of the ongoing discussions between Modi and Xi, both leaders agreed to see their countries as development partners rather than rivals, focusing on enhancing trade relations. This marked Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, underscoring a potential shift in regional alliances.
The US State Department and the White House did not provide immediate comments regarding the developments from the summit in China or the implications of India’s tariff offer. As trade dynamics evolve, the response from the Indian government to Trump’s claims remains to be seen.
