Former US President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his criticism of India’s trade policies, arguing that the country’s recent offer to eliminate tariffs on American goods “comes too late” after decades of what he described as unfair treatment toward US businesses.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that India has long treated the United States as its largest customer while simultaneously blocking American exporters through some of the highest tariffs in the world. “They have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder,” he wrote.
Trump claimed that India’s longstanding high tariffs have effectively shut American companies out of the Indian market. “The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India. It has been a totally one-sided disaster,” he said, adding that the trade imbalance has significantly hurt US exporters over decades.
Beyond trade, Trump also criticised India’s energy and defence ties with Russia. He noted that India imports the majority of its oil and military equipment from Russia, purchasing very little from the United States. According to him, this dependency on Russia further limits economic opportunities for US firms and adds to a “one-sided” relationship.
The remarks reflect Trump’s ongoing criticism of what he perceives as unfair trade practices globally, particularly during his presidency and beyond. India and the US have maintained a growing strategic partnership in recent years, with cooperation in defence, energy, and technology. However, trade frictions, including tariffs and market access, remain points of contention between the two nations.
Trade analysts say India’s proposal to reduce tariffs could benefit both countries, but the timing and scope of the offer may influence whether it alleviates longstanding grievances. Trump’s comments underscore continuing debate in the US over how best to address trade imbalances with major economic partners.
