WASHINGTON: In his first major speech to Congress, President Donald Trump criticized India, along with several other countries, for imposing what he described as “very unfair” tariffs on American goods. He announced that, starting April 2, he would implement reciprocal tariffs in response.
Trump specifically targeted India’s 100% tariff on American automobiles, listing it alongside countries like China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Brazil, which he accused of exploiting the U.S. with high tariffs over the years.
“Other countries have used tariffs against us for years. Now it’s our turn,” Trump declared, arguing that nations such as the EU, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada charge the U.S. much higher tariffs than those the U.S. imposes on their goods. “It’s very unfair,” he added.
The president emphasized that his administration would no longer tolerate such trade imbalances. “Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them. That’s reciprocal — back and forth. If they block our products with non-monetary barriers, we’ll do the same to theirs,” he warned.
Trump also revealed that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington, he personally informed the Indian leader that India would not be exempt from these measures. “Nobody can argue with me on this,” Trump asserted.
This announcement is part of Trump’s broader protectionist trade agenda, which already includes sweeping tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. These actions, justified by Trump as efforts to address trade imbalances, illegal immigration, and drug trafficking, have sparked strong criticism from leaders worldwide.
