NEW YORK– U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that India is pursuing a trade agreement similar to the one recently announced with Indonesia—an arrangement he claims will give the United States greater access to the Indian market.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump outlined the terms of the U.S.-Indonesia deal, under which the U.S. will impose a 19 percent tariff on Indonesian imports while facing no tariffs on American exports to Indonesia.
“India basically is working along that same line,” Trump said. “We’re going to have access into India.”
Trade negotiators from the U.S. and India are working toward finalizing an agreement before the August 1 deadline Trump has set for new trade deals. Countries that fail to reach a deal by then could face steep tariffs. Trump has already issued warnings to several nations, including India and members of the European Union, threatening tariffs as high as 35 percent.
It remains unclear whether Trump envisions an exact replica of the Indonesia deal with India—a proposition that would likely be politically challenging for New Delhi—or a modified agreement involving different tariff structures and concessions.
If the U.S.-India trade pact mirrors the Indonesian model, it could subject Indian exports to a 19 percent tariff, while allowing U.S. imports into India tariff-free.
Separately, Trump suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might agree to a peace deal with Ukraine within the next 50 days. Such a development, he said, could help countries like India avoid facing the 100 percent punitive tariffs the U.S. has threatened on nations that continue purchasing Russian energy.
Asked about the September 2 deadline, Trump replied, “I don’t think 50 days is very long, and it could be sooner than that.”
Trump also announced further measures against Russia, citing its ongoing refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Among the most severe is a proposed 100 percent secondary tariff on countries that import Russian energy—effectively penalizing nations like India that continue to buy from Moscow. The goal, he said, is to cut off financial support to the Kremlin and pressure buyers to push Russia toward a resolution.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader John Thune said he is delaying action on a bill that would impose a 500 percent tariff on importers of Russian energy. Trump has expressed skepticism about the need for such legislation, arguing that he already has the authority to impose sanctions unilaterally.
Reflecting on the broader trade agenda, Trump said, “You have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn’t go in. And now we’re getting access because of what we’re doing with the tariffs.”
He also emphasized Indonesia’s strategic value, noting its supply of high-quality copper and rare earth minerals needed by the U.S. (Source: IANS)
