‘Great Friend of Mine, But Donald Trump’s Remarks on PM Modi and India in Tariff Speech..

Washington, USA : Former US President Donald Trump has once again spoken about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as a “great friend” while simultaneously criticizing India’s trade policies. During a speech on tariffs and international trade, Trump acknowledged his strong personal rapport with Modi but suggested that India has not been entirely fair when it comes to trade with the United States.

Speaking at a political event, Trump said, “PM Modi is a great friend of mine, but India has been very tough on trade.” He pointed out that despite good diplomatic relations, India has imposed high tariffs on American goods, making trade imbalanced. He specifically mentioned challenges faced by US industries, including the automobile and agricultural sectors, due to Indian import duties.

Trump’s remarks reflect his long-standing stance on trade relations with India. During his presidency, he had frequently raised concerns over India’s high tariffs on American products, particularly on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and agricultural exports. He had even referred to India as the “tariff king” due to its protectionist trade policies.

Despite these trade tensions, Trump and Modi have shared a strong political and personal bond, evident from events like ‘Howdy Modi’ in Houston (2019) and ‘Namaste Trump’ in Ahmedabad (2020). However, Trump’s latest statement indicates that while he values his friendship with Modi, he remains critical of India’s trade practices.

Trump is currently campaigning for the 2024 US Presidential elections, and trade policies are expected to be a key part of his agenda. His comments on India suggest that if he returns to office, trade negotiations between the two countries could once again become a focal point.

The Indian government has yet to officially respond to Trump’s remarks, but analysts believe that US-India trade relations will continue to evolve, regardless of who wins the next presidential election.