A few days before the 1st August deadline before the tariff came into effect, US President Donald Trump said the Indo-American trade deal was “working very well” but indicated at 20 percent to 25 percent tariffs on New Delhi.
During a gagley with press interaction riding in Air Force One on Tuesday (local time), Trump replied in a report that India could prepare for 20 to 25 percent tariffs, saying that India is imposing high tariffs on the US than other countries. He further mentioned that all this would end because he is now “in charge”.
However, Trump has not sent any letters to India, announcing the tariff imposed on New Delhi, as he did for many other countries.
“India has been a good friend. But India has basically charged more tariffs than in almost any other country in the last few years. But now I am in charge. And you can’t just do this. I think the business deals are working very well. Hopefully for everyone, but for the United States, for the United States, they are very good,” said the US President.
Earlier on 22 April, Trump imposed a 26 percent tariff on Indian goods imported into the US before announcing a stagnation on those “mutual” levy.
Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal said on Sunday that trade discussion between India and America was “very well”.
He said, “India today interacts with the status of strength, confidence situation. It is very confident that encourages us to make good free trade compromises … Our discussion with the United States is progressing very well,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also said during PM Modi’s visit to the UK last week that India was actively involved in the discussion with the US on a possible bilateral trade agreement (BTA), emphasizing the contacts with partners in the US in the US.
During a press conference after signing the Indo-UK Free Trade Agreement, Misri said, “We are discussing that under a separate vertical. I can only say that our engagement is going on. Contacts are going on, and we will see how it happens.”
On July 14, a senior government official said that India was making concrete progress towards finalizing the BTA with the US, the two countries committed to follow the route mentioned by their concerned leaders.
Speaking on the ongoing trade talks, the official emphasized that India “is moving forward in the context of a BTA” and actively “looking at a mutually beneficial deal” that will serve the interests of both countries.
Trump, following a recent struggle in May, used the opportunity to claim credit once again for his role in the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The conflict began with the Pahgam terror attacks on 22 April, killing 26 people, and later the reaction of India, ‘Operation Sindoor,’ Pakistan and Pakistan incorporating accurate attacks on nine terrorist camps and Jammu and Kashmir (competer).
He praised India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in regional stability.
“Look, India, he is my friend and he (PM Modi) is my friend and you know that he ended the war with Pakistan and was great and I was great and Pakistan also did. We did a lot of great settlements,” he said.
India had allegedly denied claims made by the US President, given that it was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan who requested to end enmity to contact their Indian counterpart, after which the ceasefire was agreed. (AI)