President Donald Trump said India has offered to cut its tariff rates following the US imposition last week of 50% levies as punishment for its purchases of Russian oil.
“They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday. It wasn’t clear when the offer was made, or whether the White House plans to reopen trade talks with India.
The new US tariffs doubled the existing 25% duty on Indian exports. The levies hit more than 55% of goods shipped to the US — India’s biggest market — and hurt labor-intensive industries like textiles and jewelry the most. Key exports like electronics and pharmaceuticals are exempt, sparing Apple Inc.’s massive new factory investments in India for now.
The tariffs have stunned Indian officials and follow months of trade talks between New Delhi and Washington. India was among the first countries to open trade talks with the Trump administration, but its own high tariffs and protectionist policies in sectors such as agriculture and dairy have frustrated US negotiators.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to a request for comment outside regular office hours and the White House didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The US Trade Representative’s Office also didn’t immediately respond.
As part of its trade negotiations, India had expressed willingness to offer zero tariffs on some goods like auto components and pharmaceuticals, while barriers on sectors like agriculture and dairy remained red lines it wouldn’t breach, Bloomberg News has reported earlier.
India has also made several moves to satisfy Trump’s grievances this year, including overhauling its tariff regime to reduce import duties on prominent American goods like bourbon whiskey and high-end motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson Inc.
But Trump has grown frustrated with India for buying Russian oil, which he said helps fund President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin met in China, signaling that New Delhi’s ties with Moscow remain firm despite the relentless pressure from the Trump administration. Modi declared Monday that India and Russia share a “special” relationship.
Modi has also taken steps to mend ties with China. He held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday at a regional security and economic summit, with both sides pledging to be partners, not rivals. They discussed border issues, resuming direct flights and increasing trade, according to official readouts.
