US President Donald Trump praises Modi’s leadership, calls trade talks with India promising, as reciprocal tariff measures loom globally.
Washington DC [US], March 29: US President Donald Trump on Friday expressed confidence in the ongoing India-US tariff negotiations, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “very smart man” and a “great friend,” signaling optimism for stronger economic cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of US attorney Alina Habba in New Jersey, Trump lauded Modi’s leadership, calling him a “great prime minister.”
“Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we’ve always been very good friends. He is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks. I think it’s going to work out very well between India and our country,” Trump told reporters.
Trump’s remarks came weeks after Modi’s visit to the US in February, where both leaders agreed to work on the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), expected to be finalized by Fall 2025. The proposed BTA aims to deepen multi-sector trade ties and address long-standing tariff concerns.
Reiterating his tough stance on trade imbalances, Trump noted,
“India is one of the highest-tariffing nations in the world… they’re very smart.”
In line with his broader protectionist trade agenda, Trump also announced a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles, set to take effect on April 2. The move will impact nearly half of all cars sold in the US, including American-made models manufactured overseas.
The sweeping measure aims to boost domestic manufacturing by encouraging automakers to shift production to the United States.
Trump had previously criticized India’s high import duties, particularly on automobiles, calling them “unfair” and “non-reciprocal.”
“We will soon impose reciprocal tariffs—they charge us, we charge them. We want to be fair,” Trump said, emphasizing that the new measures are designed to correct what he describes as decades of trade inequality.
While outlining similar concerns about the European Union, China, Brazil, and Mexico, Trump declared that reciprocal trade measures would be imposed on all nations “based on their actions toward the US.”
As tariff negotiations progress, India and the US continue to navigate complex trade dynamics, with hopes pinned on achieving a more balanced and mutually beneficial economic relationship.