Trump Claims India Offered to Slash Tariffs on U.S. Goods to Zero Amid Shifting Global Alliances
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that India has offered to reduce tariffs on American goods to zero, a move he suggested comes too late given recent geopolitical realignments and past trade tensions.
Writing on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump described the U.S.-India trade relationship as “one-sided” and stated: “They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to Trump’s remarks, which come at a time of heightened trade and diplomatic maneuvering involving the United States, India, China, and Russia.
The statement was made as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, a gathering of more than 20 leaders from non-Western nations. The summit has been promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a platform to shape a new global economic and security order—centered around the Global South, and increasingly positioned as a counterweight to U.S. influence.
In a striking display of unity, Modi was seen walking hand-in-hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi ahead of the summit’s opening, sending a powerful visual message amid Western concerns over India’s close ties with both Moscow and Beijing.
While the U.S.-India relationship has grown stronger in recent years—particularly during Trump’s first term, amid mutual concerns over China’s expanding influence—tensions have emerged. Trump previously threatened punitive tariffs after India declined to cease its purchases of Russian oil, defying U.S. efforts to isolate Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
India’s tariffs on American products have been a longstanding point of contention, with duties on some items reaching as high as 50%. Trump’s latest comments signal continued dissatisfaction over what he views as an imbalanced trade relationship.
Meanwhile, Modi’s participation in the SCO summit marks his first visit to China in seven years, and reflects an effort by both India and China to reset strained ties. During bilateral discussions, Modi and Xi reportedly agreed that their countries are development partners, not rivals, and explored new avenues for improving trade.
The U.S. State Department and the White House have not yet issued any official statements regarding Trump’s comments or the meetings taking place in China.
As global power dynamics shift and economic alliances evolve, the future of U.S.-India trade relations remains uncertain—shaped by competing national interests, geopolitical calculations, and the enduring influence of leaders like Trump.
