US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that “India will soon drop its tariff” substantially along with other US allies, ahead of the approaching reciprocal tariffs deadline on April 2.
Trump, who has consistently maintained that the US has been “ripped off by every country in the world,” is promising what he calls a “Liberation Day” for American trade.
Speaking from the White House Oval Office, Trump dismissed concerns that reciprocal tariffs might push US allies closer to China. He expressed confidence in his strategy, citing the European Union’s recent reduction of car tariffs to 2.5% as evidence of success.
“I heard that India is going to be dropping its tariffs substantially. A lot of countries are going to drop their tariffs,” Trump said.
Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted several examples of what the administration considers unfair trade practices.
Speaking to the reporters, Leavitt noted that India currently imposes 100% tariffs on American agricultural products, while other nations maintain similarly high barriers: the European Union charges 50% on American dairy, Japan levies 700% on American rice, and Canada imposes nearly 300% on American butter and cheese.
“50% from the European Union on American dairy, 700% from Japan on American rice, 100% tariff from India on American agricultural products…near 300% tariff from Canada on American butter and cheese. This makes it virtually impossible for American products to be imported to these markets and has put a lot of Americans out of business and work over the past several decades,” she said.
She added, “It’s time for reciprocity. It’s time for the president to historic change and do what’s right for the American people”.
While critics warn that this aggressive trade strategy could trigger a global trade war and prompt retaliatory measures from major trading partners including China, Canada, and the European Union, Trump remains undeterred.
