Donald Trump Reaffirms Reciprocal Tariffs Plan for India: ‘Getting Ready to Do It’

Tariffs Plan for India: Hours before his scheduled bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United States President Donald Trump reaffirmed his intention to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries such as India and China.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday, Trump declared, “We’ll soon impose reciprocal tariffs because that means, they charge us, we charge them. It’s very simple.” He explained that if countries like India or China levy duties on American products, the US will do the same in return. “Reciprocal meaning, ‘they charge us, we charge them,’” he added.

Trump asserted that such a policy had never been fully implemented before, but his administration was now preparing to enforce it. He also recalled his previous conversation with Modi, where he proposed the idea of reciprocal tariffs.

Also Read: AAP Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal Reacts to ‘Non-Existent Dept’ Row: ‘Punjab Important, Not…’

According to Trump, Modi opposed the suggestion. “He goes, ‘No, no, I don’t like that,’” Trump recounted. “But I said, ‘No, no, whatever you charge, I’m going to charge.’ I’m doing that with every country. Nobody can argue with me.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Fox News aired a joint television interview with Trump and billionaire Elon Musk when the president said he made it clear to PM Modi that India will not be spared from Washington's reciprocal tariffs and emphasised that "nobody can argue with me" on the tariff structure.

During the interview, Trump reiterated his stance on existing tariff structures between the US and its partners, including India. "I told Prime Minister Modi - he was here - I said, 'Here's what we're going to do: reciprocal. Whatever you charge, I'm charging'," Trump said.

Also Read: AI Surveillance to Prevent Future Tragedies at Maha Kumbh After Stampede

On Friday, Trump praised the newly sworn-in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and said, "Howard understands something about business."

Trump also said how before Covid hit, the US had "the greatest economy in the history of the world,” and added, “But tariffing is going to be very interesting and Howard's going to be in-charge of it."

Trump also cracked a joke about how 'tariff' was his favourite word once, but he was forced to relegate it to fourth place after 'family', 'love' and 'God.' "I think, let's put God first. You know why, because we don't want to take any chances," he said.

"I did that once. I said, 'tariff' is my favourite word. The fake news went out and they really got me and they said, 'What about "God, family, relationship - a couple of words. I said, 'You are right!'," Trump said as others in the room giggled, "So, now made it my fourth favourite word."

Also Read: Delhi Court Grants Bail to Man in ₹329 Crore Illegal Overseas Transfer Case