US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised India for allegedly “dumping” rice in the American market and said he will use tariffs to fix the issue “in one day”. His comments came during a roundtable discussion at the White House with farmers and agriculture industry leaders.
US Farmers Complain of Rising Imports
Meryl Kennedy, head of Kennedy Rice Mill in Louisiana, told Trump that American rice producers are struggling because countries such as India, Thailand, and China are exporting rice at cheaper rates, hurting domestic farmers.
She said the dumping issue has existed for years but has grown significantly recently. “We need fair trade, not free trade,” Kennedy told the President.
Trump: “Why is India Allowed to Do That?”
Surprised by India’s presence on the list of major exporters to the US, Trump questioned his cabinet about whether India has any tariff exemption on rice.
When Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed him that the US is still negotiating a trade deal with New Delhi, Trump responded:
“They shouldn’t be dumping. It’s so easy to settle. Tariffs will solve this problem in one day.”
He also instructed officials to list all countries allegedly dumping rice in the American market.
WTO Case Against India Mentioned
Kennedy also pointed out that there is a World Trade Organization (WTO) case filed against India regarding rice subsidies.
India’s Dominance in Global Rice Trade
India is the world’s largest rice producer (150 million tonnes) and the top exporter, with a 30.3% global export share in 2024–25.
According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF):
- India exported 2.34 lakh tonnes of rice to the US in FY 2024
- This is less than 5% of India’s basmati exports
- West Asia remains India’s biggest market
- Sona Masoori is the most popular Indian rice variety in the US
High Tariffs Already in Place
Trump claimed tariffs are the quickest solution. The US has already imposed:
- 50% tariff on Indian goods
- 25% tariff on India’s Russian oil purchases
Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) said these tariffs are temporary hurdles and India still has a strong pricing edge over countries such as Vietnam and Pakistan.
Supreme Court Case on Tariff Powers
Lower US courts have ruled against Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, and the matter now awaits a Supreme Court decision. Trump insisted that winning this case is essential to protect American industries.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
