United States President Donald Trump again brought up India’s tariffs when he announced that reciprocal levies on nations imposing duties on American products will commence on April 2.
“And the big one will be on April 2, when reciprocal tariffs, so if India or China, or any of the countries that really…India is a very high tariff nation,” he said.
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Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday whilst signing executive orders, Trump discussed Canada’s high tariffs, particularly noting their 250% charge on American dairy products and significant levies on lumber, despite America’s abundant timber resources.
Trump indicated that whilst current tariffs are “temporary” and “small ones”, the primary reciprocal tariffs starting April 2 will significantly impact the country’s trade relationships.
“Because we’ve been ripped off by every country in the world, and now whatever they charge us, they charge us 150-200% (and) we charge them nothing. So whatever they charge us, we’re going to charge them, and there’ll be no getting out of it. So we look forward to April 2. I’ve been looking forward to that date for a long time. And that’ll be something very big,” Trump said.
This marks Trump’s second commentary on India’s tariffs in recent days. During his Tuesday address to Congress, his first since beginning his second White House term, he criticised various nations’ high tariffs as “very unfair”.
At the US Capitol, Trump informed lawmakers about next month’s reciprocal tariffs and discussed the administration’s stance on foreign manufacturing.
“If you don’t make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and in some cases, a rather large one. Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades and now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries,” Trump had said.
Trump specifically mentioned the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Canada’s higher tariff rates compared to American charges, noting India’s automotive tariffs exceeding 100%.
Previously referring to India as a “tariff king” and “big abuser”, Trump discussed trade barriers during a recent White House press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing difficulties in selling to India.
Trump mentioned the nearly $100 billion trade deficit with India, announcing negotiations to address long-standing trading disparities.
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal is currently conducting trade discussions in Washington with US counterpart Howard Lutnick.
According to US data, total goods trade with India reached $129.2 billion in 2024. US exports to India were $41.8 billion, increasing 3.4% from 2023, while imports from India totalled $87.4 billion, rising 4.5%.
The US goods trade deficit with India reached $45.7 billion in 2024, showing a 5.4% increase over 2023.
