Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is close to finalising a trade deal with India, while also recounting a past episode where he allegedly used tariff threats to prevent a military conflict between India and Pakistan.
Speaking at a luncheon for APEC CEOs, Trump said he shared a strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral economic ties.
“We’re going to have a trade deal with India. I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship,” Trump said.
⚔️ Trump’s Claim on India-Pakistan Tensions
During his address, Trump revisited events from a previous India-Pakistan standoff, asserting that he threatened to impose 250% tariffs on both countries to deter further escalation.
“I called Prime Minister Modi and said we can’t do a trade deal—you’re starting a war with Pakistan. Then I called Pakistan too,” Trump stated.
According to Trump, his warning that the US would impose “250% tariffs on each country” was meant as an economic deterrent.
“That’s a nice way of saying we don’t want to do business with you,” he added, suggesting the threat ultimately helped prevent a conflict.
🇮🇳 India’s Response
However, Indian officials have dismissed the notion that Washington had any role in mediating peace. New Delhi maintains that de-escalation followed direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries — not due to external intervention.
💼 Ongoing Trade Strains
Despite Trump’s optimistic remarks, India-US trade relations remain tense. In recent months, Washington imposed an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The total tariff burden on Indian goods entering the US has now risen to 50%, impacting key export sectors.
Earlier this week, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur, where both sides discussed ongoing trade negotiations and broader international relations.
🌐 Context: India-US Economic Ties
The United States remains one of India’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $190 billion in 2024. However, differences over market access, tariffs, and geopolitical alignments — particularly concerning Russia and China — continue to influence trade discussions between the two democracies.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
