Leaked Audio Suggests Internal US Divisions Delaying India-US Trade Deal

Amid uncertainty over the future of a trade agreement between India and the United States, purported leaked audio recordings of US Senator Ted Cruz have reportedly shed light on possible obstacles in the negotiations.

According to a report by Axios, Cruz has blamed White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump for holding up a trade deal with India. In phone calls with donors, the Republican senator from Texas allegedly said he was “battling” the White House to push the agreement forward.

The report comes at a time when trade talks between India and the US have been ongoing for several months. These negotiations gained renewed attention after President Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s oil trade with Russia, raising total duties to 50%.

Signs of Divisions Within the Republican Party

The leaked recordings suggest that political challenges within the Republican Party may be hindering progress on the trade deal. Traditionally supportive of free trade, the party has seen growing divisions since Trump’s rise to prominence.

Cruz reportedly told donors that he and several Republican senators had tried to persuade Trump against introducing the “Liberation Day” tariffs in April last year. He warned that higher tariffs could increase consumer prices and hurt Americans’ retirement savings.

According to the report, Cruz also cautioned that such economic pressures could cost Republicans control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.

The senator is widely believed to be considering a presidential run in 2028, potentially challenging the influence of Trump and Vance within the party. Other senior Republicans are also said to be concerned about losing political ground to Democrats in the upcoming midterms.

Cruz’s Support for Strong India-US Ties

Despite the current trade tensions, Cruz has consistently supported closer ties between New Delhi and Washington.

During a visit to India in 2019, he described the two countries as “natural allies.”

“India and America are natural allies. We are working together more and more. India is the largest democracy on the face of the earth,” Cruz said at the time. “We’re blessed to have over a half million Indian-Americans living in the great state of Texas.”

He also highlighted shared interests in human rights, free markets, and regional security, particularly in countering China’s growing influence.

“Our partnership is critically important in countering China’s aggression,” Cruz added after meeting then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Political Influence of Indian-Americans in Texas

Indian-Americans remain an important political constituency in Texas, Cruz’s home state. According to data from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, more than 500,000 Indian-Americans live in Texas, making up around 2% of the state’s population.

Their growing influence adds another dimension to Cruz’s continued advocacy for stronger India-US relations.