Trump Reaffirms Reciprocal Tariff Plan With PM Modi: "Nobody Can Argue With Me"
Summary: US President Donald Trump recalls his tough stance on trade tariffs in a conversation with PM Narendra Modi, insisting on a “reciprocal” system where the US matches India’s import duties. Elon Musk supports the claim, calling India’s 100% auto tariffs “unfair.”
In a joint televised interview with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, US President Donald Trump made it clear that India will not be exempt from Washington’s proposed reciprocal tariff system. Speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump reiterated his long-standing position on global trade, particularly highlighting India’s high import duties on US goods.
Trump to Modi: “Whatever You Charge, I’m Charging”
Recounting his recent conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump recalled how he laid down his tariff policy in clear terms.
“I told Prime Minister Modi yesterday – he was here – I said, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do: reciprocal. Whatever you charge, I’m charging.’ He goes, ‘No, no, I don’t like that.’ ‘No, no, whatever you charge, I’m going to charge.’ I’m doing that with every country,” Trump declared.
The former US President has often criticized India’s tariff policies, particularly in the automobile sector, where import duties on foreign cars can reach 100%. Musk, sitting alongside Trump during the interview, confirmed this:
“It’s 100 per cent – auto imports are 100 per cent,” Musk said.
Trump responded: “Yeah, that’s peanuts. So much higher. And others too.”
Trump’s Push for “Fair Trade”
Trump argued that such tariffs make it nearly impossible for American companies to sell in India, forcing them to set up manufacturing plants locally—a move he considers “unfair” to the US economy.
“Nobody can argue with me,” Trump insisted. “If I said 25 per cent, they’d say, ‘Oh, that’s terrible.’ I don’t say that anymore… because I say, ‘Whatever they charge, we’ll charge.’ And you know what? They stop.”
India-US Trade Relations: A History of Tariff Clashes
This is not the first time Trump has locked horns with India over tariff disputes. During his first term as President, he repeatedly referred to India as the “tariff king”, citing high import duties on US goods.
Despite these tensions, both countries are working toward stronger economic ties. After PM Modi’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., both nations committed to doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and are currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), expected to be finalized by Autumn 2025.
Trump’s latest remarks signal a hardline approach to trade negotiations, potentially setting the stage for further tariff battles if he secures another term in office.
