“Trump: US gets along with India, but tariffs were needed”

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, arguing that while Washington enjoys good relations with New Delhi, trade between the two countries had long been “one-sided” because of India’s “tremendous tariffs” on American goods.

Trump said India imposed some of the highest duties in the world, singling out the example of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which he claimed faced tariffs of up to 200%. “We get along with India very well, but for many years it was a one-sided relationship,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “They were doing business with us because we weren’t charging foolishly. But we would not send in anything because they were charging us 100% tariffs.”

The president said his tariff policy was prompting global companies to shift operations to the U.S., citing new factories being built by automakers from China, Mexico, and Canada. “When they build their cars here, they don’t have to pay any tariffs,” he said.

The tariff hike was also linked by White House officials to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil amid the Ukraine war.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed Tuesday that India is in talks with the U.S. over a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Negotiations, which began in March and have gone through five rounds, were disrupted after the U.S. delegation postponed its August 25 visit to New Delhi following Trump’s tariff decision. No new dates have yet been set.