Trump Drops Bombshell: India Agrees To Cut ‘Massive’ Tariffs, ‘Somebody Is Finally Exposing Them’

US President Donald Trump asserted on Friday that India has agreed to significantly cut tariffs on American imports—accusing New Delhi of imposing “massive tariffs” that hinder US trade. During a press briefing, Trump claimed, “India charges us massive tariffs. Massive. You can’t even sell anything in India. They have agreed, by the way; they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done,” according to ANI.

Repeated Remarks on Tariff Woes

This marks the third time in as many days that Trump has focused on India’s tariff policies. His comments come as India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington, engaged in high-stakes trade talks with his US counterpart, Howard Lutnick. The ongoing dialogue reflects growing tensions over trade imbalances and tariff barriers between the two economic powerhouses.

India Eyes a Bilateral Trade Boost

In response, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, stated on Saturday that the planned Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the US could significantly enhance trade relations. “The two governments are advancing discussions on a multi-sector BTA aimed at strengthening and deepening India-US trade in goods and services, increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepening supply chain integration,” Jaiswal said.

Call for Agricultural Market Reforms

During a virtual session at the India Today Conclave, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that India’s tariffs on American products rank among the highest globally. He urged New Delhi to open its agricultural market for imports, suggesting that a more “smarter” approach could benefit both nations. “The good thing is your government truly understands your market, and we understand ours. The key is to find that place,” Lutnick commented, stressing the importance of agriculture in US-India trade discussions.

Implications for Global Trade

Trump’s statements, coupled with high-level discussions between the two countries, underscore a broader dispute over trade policies that affect one of the world’s largest bilateral trade relationships. As both sides negotiate tariff reductions and market access, the outcome of these talks could reshape trade dynamics and significantly boost bilateral commerce.