Trump Criticizes India for High Tariffs, Pledges U.S. Retaliation

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again targeted India’s tariff policies, labeling it a country with the highest tariffs in the world. In a recent speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump vowed to impose reciprocal tariffs on India if elected in 2024, pointing out that American businesses struggle to compete due to India’s protectionist measures.

Trump specifically mentioned the challenges faced by Harley-Davidson, which faced a 150% tariff on motorcycles sold in India. This tariff was one of the reasons the company decided to halt operations in the Indian market in 2020. Trump’s remarks also included praise for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging their strong relationship despite India’s high tariffs.

India’s tariff policies have been a point of contention for many years, with the average tariff rate climbing from 13% in 2014 to over 18% in 2022. India argues that its tariffs are necessary to protect and promote domestic industries, especially in sectors like manufacturing, where the government has introduced production-linked incentives to drive local growth.

The U.S. and India remain major trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $120 billion. However, the issue of tariffs continues to strain relations, particularly in light of Trump’s long-standing focus on creating fairer trade deals for the U.S.

Trump’s stance on trade is a continuation of his broader campaign against what he perceives as unfair trade practices by countries like China, Brazil, and India. As the U.S. gears up for the next presidential election, his tough talk on tariffs is likely to resonate with voters concerned about economic competition and job losses caused by global trade imbalances.