US President Donald Trump on Monday criticised the US’ trade relationship with India, calling it a “one-sided disaster” and claiming that India’s offer to cut tariffs has come “too late.” The remarks were made in a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. “What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us,” Trump wrote. “In other words, they sell us massive amounts of goods, their biggest client, but we sell them very little. Until now, a totally one-sided relationship, and it has been for many decades.”
Trump went on to accuse India of historically imposing some of the highest tariffs in the world, making it difficult for American companies to compete in the Indian market.
“India has charged us, until now, such high tariffs, the most than any other country. It has been a totally one-sided disaster,” he added.
Referring to recent developments, Trump acknowledged that India has now offered to reduce tariffs significantly but dismissed the move as belated.
“They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder,” he said.
Trump’s comments came just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China.
During his meeting with Xi, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that greater cooperation between India and China would contribute to the “welfare of the entire humanity.” President Xi responded by stating that the “Dragon and the Elephant must come together,” referencing the two nations’ global significance amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Despite Trump’s sharp tone, current US officials continue to highlight the growing strength of the US-India partnership. US Secretary of State Marco Rubino recently called it a “defining relationship of the 21st century.”
“The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights,” Rubino said. “From innovation and entrepreneurship to defense and bilateral ties, it’s the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey.”
The US State Department has also launched a campaign under the hashtag #USIndiaFWDforOurPeople to promote cooperation in areas such as clean energy, digital technology, higher education, and defense.
Still, challenges persist. While trade between the two countries has expanded, with bilateral goods and services trade surpassing $190 billion in 2024, India maintains relatively high tariffs in key sectors. Additionally, India continues to purchase a significant portion of its defense equipment and oil from Russia, a point Trump highlighted in his post.
Trump’s remarks echo his broader views on trade reciprocity and economic nationalism, which were central themes during his presidency. With speculation surrounding a potential 2024 presidential bid, his latest statements may offer insight into his future foreign policy stance.
For now, however, both Washington and New Delhi appear committed to strengthening strategic ties, even as public rhetoric reflects ongoing differences.