Trump claims India to substantially cut tariffs on U.S. goods ahead of 'Liberation Day'

In a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump made bold claims regarding India’s tariff policies, suggesting that India would soon make significant reductions to tariffs on American goods. “I think I heard that India just a little while ago is going to be dropping its tariffs very substantially, and I said why didn’t somebody do this a long time ago,” Trump stated, hinting at a shift in U.S.-India trade dynamics.

Trump’s comments come just days before the U.S. is set to unveil new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which has put the global trade community on edge. The announcement, which Trump has dubbed "Liberation Day," is expected to target countries that the U.S. deems to be imposing unfair trade practices. India was prominently mentioned in the White House’s recent list of nations accused of harming U.S. exporters with high tariffs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized India’s tariff on American agricultural products, stating, “India imposes a 100% tariff on American agricultural goods, making it virtually impossible for U.S. products to reach certain foreign markets.” She further criticized what she described as a history of “unfair” trade practices and called for reciprocity, signaling that President Trump’s new tariff plan would be a response to such practices.

Leavitt’s remarks also pointed to other countries, including members of the European Union, Japan, and Canada, accusing them of similar tactics that make American products difficult to import. According to Leavitt, these tariffs have long contributed to economic difficulties for American workers and exporters. The White House's stance is clear: it is time to level the playing field for U.S. industries.

Trump is expected to announce his new tariff measures on April 2, during his first Rose Garden press conference of his second term. Leavitt described the day as "Liberation Day," noting that the president’s plan will rollback what he sees as decades of unfair trade practices. The tariff plan will be presented as part of Trump’s broader strategy to prioritize American workers and bolster U.S. manufacturing.

As the situation develops, the global community is closely watching for the specifics of Trump’s proposals and how India and other nations will respond. The timing of the announcement, along with the rhetoric around it, signals a significant shift in U.S. trade policy and its approach to long-standing trade imbalances.