White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the tariffs imposed by various countries on American products, specifically mentioning India’s high tariffs on US alcohol and agricultural goods. Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, she stated that President Donald Trump believes in “reciprocity” and is committed to ensuring fair trade practices.
Leavitt also accused Canada of “ripping off” the United States for decades with what she described as “egregious” tariffs. When asked about Trump’s plans to speak with Canada’s Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney, she responded, “The president is again responding to the fact that Canada has been ripping off the United States of America and hardworking Americans for decades.”
She further cited the tariff rates imposed by India and Japan on various US products, emphasizing that the current administration is determined to safeguard American business interests.
“In fact, I have a handy dandy chart here that shows not just Canada but the rate of tariffs across the board. If you look at Canada—American cheese and butter nearly 300 per cent tariff. You look at India, 150 per cent tariff on American alcohol. Do you think that’s helping Kentucky bourbon be exported into India? I don’t think so. 100 per cent tariff on agricultural products from India,” Leavitt said.
She also pointed out Japan’s 700 per cent tariff on rice, reiterating that Trump is advocating for “fair and balanced trade practices.”
On Sunday, President Trump stated that tariffs on Canada and Mexico could increase in the future. Speaking to Fox News, he said, “For years, globalists have been ripping off the United States. They’ve been taking money away from the United States, and all we’re doing is getting some of it back… This country has been ripped off from every nation in the world, every company in the world. We’ve been ripped off at levels never seen before, and what we’re going to do is get it back.”
Trump has imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, citing border control issues leading to fentanyl entering the US. Earlier on March 7, he delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a short period but warned of the “big one” starting April 2.
India also came under Trump’s scrutiny last week when he described its trade policies as highly restrictive. He remarked that it is “next to impossible to sell anything to India” due to the high tariffs but claimed that India has now agreed to reduce them.
“India charges us massive tariffs. Massive. You can’t even sell anything in India… They have agreed, by the way; they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done,” Trump said in a nationally televised address from the White House.
The latest remarks reflect growing tensions in global trade, with the US pushing for lower tariffs and fairer trade terms from key economic partners, including India, Canada, and Japan.