New York: Former US President Donald Trump has once again rattled trade relations with India by issuing a fresh warning of steep tariff hikes, saying duties on Indian goods could be increased “at any time” if New Delhi fails to align with American trade and energy interests.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday while flying from Florida to Washington, DC, Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was well aware of his dissatisfaction—particularly over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. “I’m not happy about it, and I can raise tariffs very quickly,” Trump warned.
Although Trump praised Modi as a “very good man,” he made it clear that his frustration over India’s trade policies remains. “Modi is a very good man. Modi is a good person. Modi knew I wasn’t happy. It was important to make me happy,” Trump said, underlining the pressure he claims to exert through economic measures.
The remarks come shortly after US Senator Lindsey Graham stated that tariffs imposed by Trump were a major factor behind India significantly cutting down its imports of Russian oil. Trump’s renewed comments signal the possibility of heightened trade tensions between the two countries in the coming period.
