Trump Claims India Ready to Cut 100% Tariffs for US, But No Rush on Trade Deal

Former US President Donald Trump has said that India is ready to cut all tariffs for American goods, a move that could mark a major change in trade between the two countries. However, Trump added that he is not in a hurry to complete a deal, even with such an offer on the table.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump explained that India is one of the world’s highest tariff countries and often makes it hard for other nations to do business there. He claimed that due to past trade pressure, India is now willing to reduce all tariffs for the US. He mentioned that the change might come soon, but stressed that there is no need to rush.

India is currently working to reach a trade agreement with the US during a 90-day period set by Trump in April. This period is meant to pause new tariffs for key trade partners, including India. One of the planned tariffs would have added a 26% tax on Indian goods coming into the US. Indian officials are using this time to find a middle ground and avoid future increases.

India and the United States share a strong trade relationship. In 2024, their total trade reached around 129 billion US dollars. India benefits from a trade surplus of 45.7 billion dollars, which means it exports much more to the US than it imports. This trade gap has been a key issue in past talks.

Recent reports say India has offered to lower its average tariff rate for American goods from 13% to below 4%. This move is seen as a step to win relief from current and upcoming tariffs and also to make trade fairer. Sources close to the talks say this is a major shift that shows India’s interest in securing a better deal.

Trump also said during the interview that many countries want to sign trade deals with the United States. He said that South Korea is among those ready to make a deal. However, he explained that he will not agree to every deal offered. With so many countries interested, he said it is not possible to meet everyone and that he will pick only those deals that clearly help the US.

While the US is reviewing its global trade relationships, India is also making clear that any future agreement must help both sides. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar recently said that trade talks are complex and nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. He explained that deals must bring gains for both countries and must not favor only one side.

These comments come at a key time. Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is preparing for meetings with top US officials. He is expected to talk with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the coming days. These talks may help move the process forward or bring more clarity about where both sides stand.

India wants to improve its trade ties with the US for several reasons. First, the country wants to avoid new taxes on its exports. Second, a stable trade deal could support its growing economy by attracting more US investments. Third, better trade rules may open new doors for Indian goods and services in the American market.

US companies also want better access to India, which has a large and young population. Many American businesses are looking for new markets, and India is seen as a place full of opportunity. Lower tariffs would make it easier for US products to compete fairly in India.

In the past, trade between the two countries has seen ups and downs. In 2019, the Trump administration removed India from a program that allowed some Indian products to enter the US without tariffs. That step led to tension and caused India to react with its own tariffs. Since then, both countries have tried to rebuild the trade relationship.

If India follows through with its offer to cut tariffs, it could help bring the two sides closer. It could also send a strong message that India is ready to open its markets and play a bigger role in global trade. But as both governments have noted, trade deals take time and must be built step by step.

While Trump says there is no need to hurry, the talks between India and the US are likely to continue. Any future deal will depend on how well both sides can match their goals and find common ground. For now, the world is watching to see if this latest offer from India leads to real progress.