Washington, D.C.: In remarks on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump signalled progress in ongoing trade discussions with India, asserting that the United States would eventually lower tariffs imposed on Indian imports and claiming that negotiations were approaching what he described as a “fair deal.” The comments come months after tensions escalated over trade imbalances and India’s oil trade with Russia, which had prompted the doubling of tariffs on Indian goods in August.

Speaking to the media, Trump said that high tariffs were primarily a response to India’s purchases of Russian oil, an issue he linked to broader geopolitical concerns surrounding the war in Ukraine. “The tariffs are very high on India due to Russian oil and they [India] have stopped doing the Russian oil very substantially,” he stated. He went on to assure that the United States was planning to reduce tariffs in due course. “We’re gonna be bringing the tariffs down…at some point, we’ll bring them down,” Trump added, without specifying an exact timeline.

Trump also emphasised that the two countries were nearing a mutually acceptable trade agreement. “We’re making a deal with India, much different than we had in the past. So right now, they don’t love me, but they’ll love us again. We’re getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We had pretty unfair trade deals…But we’re getting close,” he said. In the course of his comments, he repeatedly framed the agreement as beneficial for both sides. He referred to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been involved in overseeing sanctions and trade measures related to Russian oil, saying that progress was being made toward a deal “that’s good for everybody.”

The remarks mark a continuation of Trump’s longstanding focus on bilateral trade negotiations and tariff policies. Earlier this year, the US had doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, citing New Delhi’s energy dealings with Moscow. The move was widely interpreted as a strategic effort to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin by discouraging nations like India from profiting from Russian oil during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement had sparked strong reactions in India, where officials repeatedly clarified that no formal assurances had been given to end the oil trade, contrary to Trump’s previous assertions of a personal conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trade discussions have continued since the imposition of the tariffs, with multiple rounds of talks between US and Indian officials. Trump, during his Tuesday remarks, suggested that India had reduced its oil trade with Russia, describing the country’s recent actions as responsive to American concerns. He framed this as a positive development that would facilitate lowering tariffs and reaching a balanced trade agreement.

US officials, including Treasury Secretary Bessent, have consistently cited India’s purchases of Russian oil as a key justification for the heightened tariffs. Bessent had earlier alleged that India had profited substantially from Russian oil imports despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Treasury Department’s interventions had reinforced the administration’s position that trade measures were not merely about commercial imbalances but were linked to geopolitical strategy and adherence to global sanctions against Russia.

Trump’s latest statements highlight his ongoing approach to trade negotiations, which he has consistently described as aimed at correcting perceived imbalances and securing favorable terms for the United States. In his remarks, he suggested that while India may have reservations or hesitations regarding previous agreements, both countries are moving toward a resolution that would meet the expectations of American trade policy while accommodating India’s economic and strategic priorities.

Observers note that the statement comes at a politically sensitive time, reflecting both domestic and international considerations. On one hand, the United States continues to monitor and manage the effects of its tariffs on Indian imports, while on the other, India remains a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, making a balanced trade agreement an important element of bilateral relations. Trump’s framing of the deal as “fair” underscores the administration’s intent to portray the negotiations as equitable and mutually beneficial.

While specifics of the prospective agreement remain undisclosed, Trump’s repeated emphasis on lowering tariffs signals a potential easing of trade restrictions that have affected a range of sectors, from industrial goods to technology and consumer products. Analysts suggest that a reduction in tariffs could relieve some of the financial pressure on Indian exporters while simultaneously facilitating smoother trade flows and strengthening commercial ties between the two nations.

Trump’s focus on India’s reduction of Russian oil purchases highlights the intertwining of trade and foreign policy objectives in contemporary US strategy. By linking tariffs to energy and geopolitical concerns, the administration has attempted to leverage economic tools to influence international behavior. This approach, according to experts, reflects a broader strategy of using bilateral trade negotiations as instruments to advance policy priorities beyond conventional commerce.

Despite past tensions and the imposition of high tariffs, Trump’s statements signal a willingness to negotiate and modify trade measures contingent upon perceived compliance with US expectations. The comments suggest that both sides may be moving toward a pragmatic compromise that balances economic interests with broader strategic considerations, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and shifting global energy dynamics.

Trump’s remarks also indicate that the US administration continues to view India as a critical economic and strategic partner, with negotiations framed in terms of fairness and reciprocity. By publicly affirming that a deal is close, Trump sought to convey confidence in ongoing talks while reassuring stakeholders in both countries that measures will be implemented to create a more balanced trade relationship.

In summary, President Trump’s announcement on Tuesday underscores a dual objective: signaling a potential reduction in tariffs for Indian goods while framing the US-India trade relationship as moving toward a fair, mutually beneficial agreement. While details remain forthcoming, the remarks suggest a continued commitment to resolving trade tensions, addressing geopolitical concerns linked to Russian oil imports, and fostering stronger economic collaboration between the two nations. The outcome of these negotiations is likely to have implications not only for bilateral trade flows but also for the broader strategic relationship between India and the United States.

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