UPDATE: US President Donald Trump has just announced that India has offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero. This development comes at a critical moment as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engages in high-profile meetings with Chinese and Russian leaders, signaling a complex geopolitical landscape.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the US-India relationship as “one-sided,” stating, “They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.” This statement raises immediate questions about the future of trade relations between the two nations, particularly as India faces duties as high as 50 percent on US goods.
The Indian Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to Trump’s comments, which coincide with Modi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China. This summit, attended by over 20 leaders of non-Western countries, is seen as a platform for China to assert its vision for a new global economic order, potentially challenging US influence.
While the US-India relationship has strengthened in recent years due to shared concerns over China’s growing power, Trump’s remarks come on the heels of India’s continued purchasing of Russian oil, which directly defies US pressure amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The summit in China features a striking image of Modi, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin walking together, showcasing a united front among these leaders. Modi’s visit, his first to China in seven years, aims to bolster ties, with both leaders agreeing to position their countries as development partners rather than rivals.
As this situation unfolds, analysts are closely watching how these developments will impact the US-India relationship. The US State Department and White House have yet to comment on the ongoing meetings and their implications for future trade negotiations.
What’s Next: As trade talks develop, the global community is urged to monitor any shifts in policy from both the US and India. The urgency of these discussions cannot be understated, as they will likely influence international trade dynamics in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
