India recently proposed a “zero tariff deal” to the United States, offering to remove taxes on American goods entering the Indian market.
However, US President Donald Trump quickly rejected the idea, saying the offer came too late to improve the already difficult trade relationship between the two countries.
Trump described the trade ties with India as “one-sided.” He argued that India should have lowered its tariffs many years ago instead of waiting until now. According to him, this delay has hurt American businesses and made it harder to build a fair trade partnership.
These remarks were made while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in China, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The event brought together several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to discuss regional cooperation, security, and economic matters.
While Modi was busy engaging with other Asian leaders, Trump’s statement added more tension to the already sensitive issue of trade between the US and India.
The Indian Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to Trump’s comments or clarified India’s position on the matter. Still, the development shows the uncertainty and challenges surrounding US-India trade ties.
For years, the United States has complained about India’s high tariffs on a variety of American products, including farm goods, motorcycles, and technology items. On the other hand, India has defended its policies, saying tariffs are necessary to protect local industries and farmers.
This latest exchange shows that both sides still need to work harder if they want to move toward a more balanced and stronger trade relationship.
