Washington/New Delhi, Sept 1, 2025 — US President Donald Trump has lashed out at India over trade issues, calling the Indo-US trade deal a “unilateral tragedy” and rejecting New Delhi’s recent offer to cut tariffs.
Speaking on his Truth Social account just a day after the SCO Summit, Trump accused India of heavily taxing American companies while continuing to purchase oil and military equipment from Russia.
“Unilateral Tragedy” in Trade
Trump said, “Some people think we do little business with India, but the truth is they do a lot of business with us. They have collected huge tariffs from us for years. Our companies can’t sell goods in India. It’s been a completely unilateral tragedy.”
He further added that while India has now offered tariff reductions, “it’s too late — they should have done so years ago.”
Tensions After 50% Tariffs
The sharp remarks follow Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, a move that has widened the trade rift between Washington and New Delhi. The timing is critical: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just returned from the SCO Summit in China, where he emphasized India’s openness to diverse trade partners.
During the summit, India, Russia, and China projected a united front against unilateral policies, signaling deeper cooperation among the three nations.
No Compromise on Farmers’ Interests
Reports suggest the US is pushing for entry into India’s dairy and agriculture sectors. However, PM Modi has firmly resisted such pressure. “India will not compromise against the interests of our farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers,” he reportedly told leaders.
Global Politics Shifting
The Trump-Modi clash highlights shifting trade dynamics as global alliances reshape. With India balancing ties between the West, Russia, and China, the fallout from this tariff battle may echo far beyond New Delhi and Washington.
