President Donald Trump has reignited the trade debate by claiming that India offered to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, but alleged the move came “too late.” His statement followed the high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
After PM Modi, Xi Jinping And Vladimir Putin Meeting During SCO Meeting
Trump said that while India’s readiness to open its markets was notable, it failed to address years of what he described as a “one-sided trade relationship.” He emphasized that the U.S. had long pushed for fairer trade terms, particularly in sectors like agriculture, automobiles, and technology.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has already refuted Trump’s claim
The comments arrive at a sensitive time, with U.S.–India trade relations under strain due to 50% tariffs Washington imposed on Indian imports in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil. India, meanwhile, insists that any trade framework must be mutually beneficial. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has already refuted Trump’s claim, stressing that negotiations are ongoing and no final deal has been struck.
Geopolitical observers note that Trump’s remarks, coinciding with Modi’s visible engagement with Russia and China at the SCO, underline the strategic balancing act India must perform. While India strengthens regional partnerships through multilateral platforms, it also seeks to preserve its vital economic and defense ties with the United States.
