New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at India’s trade policies, accusing New Delhi of imposing excessive tariffs on American goods. In an interview with The Scott Jennings Radio Show on Tuesday, Trump claimed India had “offered him a zero-tariff deal” but only after Washington imposed its own duties.
“They have tariffs against us. China, which kills us with tariffs. India kills us with tariffs. Brazil kills us with tariffs,” Trump said, declaring that he understands the tariff system “better than any human being in the world.”
Labeling India “the most highly tariffed nation,” Trump added: “They’ve offered me no tariffs in India anymore. No tariffs. If I didn’t have tariffs, they would never make that offer.”
The remarks come amid heightened trade frictions between Washington and New Delhi. Earlier this week, Trump described bilateral ties as “totally one-sided” and a “disaster” for the US. He said while India’s recent offer to slash tariffs was welcome, “it’s getting late.”
The Trump administration recently doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, among the highest levels globally, including a 25 percent levy on crude oil purchases from Russia. The White House has justified the move as part of Trump’s “America First” push to narrow trade deficits.
Trump also faces domestic hurdles. A US appeals court ruled the tariffs “illegal,” prompting criticism at home. But Trump dismissed the judgment, posting on Truth Social that the court had “incorrectly said our tariffs should be removed,” vowing that “the United States of America will win in the end.”
New Delhi has called the US measures “unjustified and unreasonable,” stressing that, like any major economy, India will safeguard its national interests and economic security. Officials argue that tariffs should not be weaponised and that trade decisions must reflect mutual benefit.
