India has refuted claims that it has agreed to reduce import duties on U.S. products, contradicting recent statements by President Donald Trump. Just weeks into his second term, Trump has intensified his trade policies, imposing tariffs on multiple nations, including India, as part of his broader strategy to address what he describes as “unfair” trade practices.
Last week, Trump criticized India’s high tariffs, calling them “massive” and suggesting that New Delhi was now willing to lower them. “You can’t sell anything into India; it is almost restrictive,” he remarked, further asserting that India had agreed to reduce tariffs “way down” following U.S. pressure.
However, according to a report by The Times of India, Indian officials have made no such commitments. A parliamentary panel was informed that the government has instead requested time until September to address U.S. concerns. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal emphasized that India and the U.S. are focused on negotiating a long-term, mutually beneficial trade agreement rather than making immediate adjustments to tariffs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently met with Trump at the White House, affirmed that both nations are working toward a trade deal that serves their interests. While India remains a key player in the global IT and services sectors, the U.S. continues to expand its defense ties with New Delhi, securing multi-billion-dollar military hardware sales.
Trump may visit India later this year for a summit of Quad leaders, which includes Australia, Japan, India, and the United States. The evolving trade negotiations between the two nations will likely remain a focal point in their diplomatic engagements.