Trump Sets Deadline for India Trade Deal, Warns of Heavy Tariffs if Talks Fail
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that India and the US are working on a potential trade deal, warning that if an agreement is not finalized by August 1, Indian exports to America could face heavy tariffs. He mentioned that the deal under discussion may be similar in structure to the recent agreement signed between the US and Indonesia, which allowed American businesses greater market access while keeping import duties on Indonesian goods.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said India is moving quickly on the talks but must meet the deadline or face tariffs of up to 35 percent on certain products entering the US market. The President claimed his tariff policies have already helped secure favorable trade terms with Indonesia, and a similar approach with India could open new opportunities for American companies.
Trump also linked his trade policy to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, cautioning that countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India, could face 100 percent tariffs if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal within the next 50 days. He hinted that the tariff deadline could be enforced as early as September.
The warning comes amid growing debate in the US Senate over proposed legislation imposing even higher tariffs on Russian energy imports. Experts believe that India may find it difficult to accept the same terms as Indonesia, as steep tariffs could hurt key export sectors like textiles, steel, and IT services.