New Delhi: India has not made any commitments to the United States regarding trade tariff reductions, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal informed a Parliamentary panel on Monday. His statement came in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that India had agreed to significantly lower its tariffs on American goods.
Briefing the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, Barthwal clarified that trade negotiations between India and the US are ongoing, and no agreement has been finalized. He emphasized that India would prioritize its national interests in all trade discussions and that Trump’s statements should not be taken as factual.
India Pushes Back Against Trump’s Trade Assertions
President Trump, who has taken an aggressive stance on global trade, recently criticized India’s trade policies and accused New Delhi of imposing massive tariffs on American exports.
“You can’t sell anything into India, it is almost restrictive. They have agreed, by the way, they want to cut their tariffs way down now because somebody is finally exposing them for what they have done,” Trump said last week.
Trump’s statement alarmed several Indian lawmakers, prompting them to question whether India had conceded to US pressure. However, Barthwal reassured the committee that India had not agreed to any tariff reductions and that negotiations were still in progress.
India’s Stance on Trade Tariffs
Barthwal reaffirmed India’s commitment to free and fair trade but rejected the notion of unilateral tariff reductions.
“India supports trade liberalization, but indiscriminate lowering of tariffs is not in our national interest. We will negotiate tariff reductions bilaterally rather than multilaterally to ensure our economic priorities are protected,” he told the panel.
He also warned against trade wars, stating that excessive tariffs could harm global trade and even trigger a recession.
Comparisons with Canada and Mexico
Addressing comparisons with Canada and Mexico, which have actively challenged US trade policies, Barthwal pointed out that their situations were different due to security and immigration concerns with the US. He reiterated that India would only sign a trade deal if it is mutually beneficial.
India Seeks Time Until September 2025
While Trump has imposed sweeping reciprocal tariffs set to take effect next month, India has reportedly sought time until September 2025 to resolve key trade disputes. New Delhi is working towards a balanced trade agreement that benefits both economies without compromising India’s domestic industries.
As negotiations continue, India remains firm on protecting its economic interests while fostering a strong trade partnership with the United States. The coming months will determine whether India and the US can reach a mutually acceptable trade deal or if tensions will escalate further under Trump’s aggressive tariff policy.
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