US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about ongoing tariff discussions between India and the United States, stating that trade policies between the two nations will “work out well.”
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of US attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba on Friday (local time), Trump highlighted his positive rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “very smart man” and a “great friend.”
“Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we’ve always been very good friends,” Trump said. “India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world… They’re very smart. He (PM Modi) is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks. I think it’s going to work out very well between India and our country. And I want to say you have a great prime minister.”
Trump’s comments come amid a significant trade policy shift, as he recently announced a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles entering the United States. The new tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, will impact nearly half of all vehicles sold in the country, including American brands manufactured abroad. The move aims to boost domestic manufacturing by encouraging automakers to set up production facilities within US borders.
Previously, Trump has been vocal about India’s trade policies, calling it a “hard place to do business” and criticizing its high tariffs on American goods, particularly in the automobile sector. In February, he reiterated his commitment to imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries like India and China, ensuring that the US levies the same charges these nations impose on American imports.
“We will soon impose reciprocal tariffs—they charge us, we charge them. Whatever a company or a country, such as India or China, charges, we want to be fair; hence, reciprocal,” Trump stated.
Addressing a joint session of the US Congress, Trump reaffirmed that these tariffs would take effect on April 2, vowing to end what he described as unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged the US for decades. He also highlighted similar tariff measures against the European Union, China, Brazil, and Mexico, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to fair trade.
