'We Agreed To A Trade Deal': After Call With PM Modi, Trump Announces India Tariff Cut

US President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States and India had agreed to a bilateral trade deal that would lower reciprocal tariffs between the two countries.

Announcing details of a phone conversation

with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said Washington would reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, effective immediately. In return, he claimed India would move to cut its own tariffs and non-tariff barriers against US products to “zero.”

Trump made the remarks in a lengthy post on social media, describing Modi as “one of my greatest friends” and saying the two leaders had discussed trade, energy cooperation and the war in Ukraine.

“Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi, and as per his request, we agreed to a trade deal between the United States and India,” Trump wrote.

“He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!” he further added.

Trump further claimed that New Delhi will significantly increase purchases of American goods and services. He said the Indian side had agreed to “BUY AMERICAN” at a much higher level, including more than $500 billion worth of US energy, technology, agricultural products, coal and other exports.

“Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward,” Trump said, adding that he and Modi were “two people that get things done.”

There was no immediate official confirmation from the Indian government regarding the specific claims made by Trump.

Earlier on Monday, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on X that Trump and Modi had spoken, posting a photograph of the two leaders from Trump’s February 2020 visit to Hyderabad House in New Delhi with the message: “STAY TUNED…” The call was the first conversation between the two leaders this year.