Differences With India Can't Be Resolved Overnight For Trade Deal: US Official
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Washington was still negotiating with India on trade after announcing earlier that day the US would impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from the country starting on Friday.
The 25% figure would single out India more severely than other major trading partners, and threaten to unravel months of talks between the two countries, undermining a strategic partner of Washington's and a counterbalance to China.
"Our challenges with India, they've always been a pretty closed market... there are a host of other kind of geopolitical issues," the US official said. "You've seen the president express concern about, you know, membership in BRICS, purchases of Russian oil and that kind of thing."
While saying there were constructive discussions with India, the official added: "These are complex relationships and complex issues, and so I don't think things can be resolved overnight with India."
India has faced pressure from the West, including the US, to distance itself from Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. New Delhi resisted that pressure, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic needs.
Trump has cast the BRICS group of developing nations - of which India is a key part - as hostile to the US. Those nations have dismissed that accusation and the group says it promotes the interests of its members and of developing countries at large.
Trump has also drawn India's frustration by repeatedly taking credit for an India-Pakistan ceasefire that he announced on social media on May 10. The ceasefire halted days of hostilities between the nuclear armed Asian neighbors.
India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their issues directly without outside involvement.
Trump has reached a trade deal with India's rival Pakistan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'He has his own reasons': Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi backing Trump's ‘dead economy' remark
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he would not comment on Rahul Gandhi's remarks about US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy' comment, but said India's trade ties with America are important and should not be affected. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi.(PTI File) Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, said, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his own reasons for saying it. My concern is much more that our relationship with the US, as a strategic and economic partnership, is important for us.' The Congress leader said India must protect its strong trade ties with the US, emphasising that America is one of the country's biggest export markets, with around $90 billion worth of goods going there annually. 'We are exporting something like 90 billion worth of goods to America. We can't therefore be in a position where we are going to lose that or have it diminish significantly. Some people say Oh, that is only 2 per cent of our GDP, but in terms of percentage of our exports, America is one of our largest markets,' he claimed. On the issue of tariffs, Shashi Tharoor backed India's trade negotiators, saying, 'When we look at the tariff question, we must wish our negotiators strength and courage in working out a fair deal for India.' 'We should also be talking to other regions for exporting our goods. Then we could make up for some of what we might lose in the US. We have to support our negotiators,' Tharoor added. Donald Trump recently stirred controversy by calling India's economy 'dead' while announcing new 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, 'India and Russia can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.' The remarks were seen as a sharp escalation in trade tensions and drew mixed responses from Indian politicians. Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi appeared to agree with Trump's view, saying India's economy was indeed in poor shape. 'I don't care what Trump said. The reality is that India's economy is dead. And it has been murdered by the BJP government,' he told reporters.
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
'He Has His Own Reasons': Shashi Tharoor On Rahul Gandhi Backing Trump's 'Dead Economy' Jibe
Last Updated: Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on Rahul Gandhi backing Donald Trump's "dead economy" jibe towards India, a stance that was criticised by several BJP leaders. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on his party colleague Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy" jibe towards India amid trade talks, saying the priority was on a fair deal for New Delhi. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tharoor said, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our relationship with the US, as a strategic and economic partnership, is important for us." 'We are exporting around $90 billion worth of goods to America. We can't be in a position to lose that or have it diminish significantly," he said. 'We must wish our negotiators strength to get a fair deal for India." #WATCH | Mumbai | On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi agreeing with US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy' remark, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our… — ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2025 Tharoor also said India should be talking to other regions for exporting Indian goods to make up for some of what it may lose to the United States. 'We already have an FTA with the UK, which has tremendous potential. We are well advancing in talks with the EU. If we have a good agreement with the EU, Japan and other countries, we could make up for some of what we might lose in the US, but we cannot lose everything," he added. 'Dead Economy' Tharoor's remarks came after Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty, citing its refusal to open up agricultural markets and oil imports from Russia, which Washington says is fuelling the Ukraine conflict. In a harsh statement, Trump later said, 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care." Rahul Gandhi agreed with Trump's statement, saying, 'Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani." His statements drew a fierce response from the BJP, with top leaders accusing him of speaking against the nation. However, Tharoor disagreed with Trump's views and said, 'No, not at all. That is not the case, and we all know it." Several Congress and Opposition leaders also did not back Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of Trump's views and said that the 'Indian economy is not dead". view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 17:52 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump Breaks Silence on India & Russia's Oil ‘Breakup'
'I heard India may stop buying Russian oil,' said US President Donald Trump, calling it a 'good step.' But reports say Indian refiners are still sourcing discounted Russian crude. As U.S. pressure mounts, New Delhi defends its ties with Moscow as 'steady and time-tested,' while balancing key strategic relations with Washington. Will India bow to American pressure or stick with its long-time energy partner? Read More
