US President Donald Trump has praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great friend” while simultaneously criticising India’s high import tariffs, announcing a 27% reciprocal duty on Indian imports to the United States.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump highlighted that India imposes a 52% tariff on US goods, calling it “very tough”.
He recalled discussing the issue with Modi during the Indian leader’s visit to the US in February.
“The Prime Minister just left. He’s a great friend of mine, but I said, ‘You’re a friend of mine, but you’re not treating us right’. They charge us 52%. We charge them almost nothing for years and years and decades,” Trump remarked.
The newly announced 27% tariff includes a universal 10% duty, which will apply to all imports into the US from 5 April. The remaining 17% will take effect from 10 April, according to a government official.
The move is expected to hurt Indian exports, particularly in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors.
Meanwhile, India’s steel and aluminium industries are already reeling from a 25% tariff imposed by the US in an earlier measure.
Additionally, a 25% tariff on automobile imports and parts will come into effect from 3 April.
