Reciprocal Tariffs: Trump’s Criticism of India
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump criticized India for imposing high tariffs. He singled out the auto sector, claiming India charges tariffs as high as 100%. Trump stated that these tariffs make the trade system unfair to the US. He also announced that from April 2, reciprocal tariffs would take effect. This means that for every tariff India imposes on the US, the US will impose an equal tariff on India.
Reciprocal Tariffs: The Impact
Trump emphasized that if India uses non-monetary barriers to limit US market access, the US will use similar measures in response. He warned that the US would retaliate if India continues its high tariffs. This announcement came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. There were hopes that this visit might lead to trade concessions and reduced tariffs for India. However, Trump’s remarks dashed those hopes.

Ongoing Negotiations Between US and India
Despite the president’s harsh stance, efforts to address these tariffs continue. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in the US, meeting with the new United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer. Greer is tasked with implementing Trump’s tariff plans, and his team was also involved in targeting China in previous trade disputes. Indian officials are still hoping to negotiate a deal that could ease the impact of the tariffs.
Trump’s Broader Trade Stance
In his address to Congress, Trump also criticized other countries like the European Union, China, and Brazil for imposing higher tariffs on the US. He described the situation as unfair and stated that the US is now using tariffs as a countermeasure. According to Trump, these countries have been taking advantage of the US for years.
Economic Impact on India and Developing Countries
The announcement of reciprocal tariffs has raised concerns about the economic impact on India. Rating agency Moody’s warned that countries like India, Vietnam, and Thailand could suffer the most. The tariffs could lead to higher capital outflows and downward pressure on local currencies. Additionally, regional central banks might struggle to adjust monetary policies to support growth.
WTO’s Role in the Trade Dispute
The new US trade policy also criticizes the World Trade Organization (WTO). The US claims that the WTO has lost its way and needs reform. Trump’s administration is particularly critical of the WTO’s special provisions for developing countries like India. Stay updated with the latest world news on Gremin News to learn how this stance could lead to further uncertainties for India’s future trade with the US