With less than a month remaining before US President Donald Trump’s April 2 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs on India, the White House has intensified its criticism of New Delhi’s trade policies. Press Secretary Katherine Leavitt slammed India’s high tariffs on American alcohol and agricultural products, warning that they are “not helping” the ongoing trade negotiations.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt also took aim at Canada, accusing it of “ripping off the US” and underscoring Trump’s commitment to fair trade.
“If you look at Canada, American cheese and butter face nearly 300 percent tariffs. India imposes a 150 percent tariff on American alcohol. Do you think that’s helping Kentucky bourbon be exported into India? I don’t think so. There’s also a 100 percent tariff on agricultural products from India. Japan, meanwhile, is tariffing rice at 700 percent,” she said, holding up a comparative tariff chart.
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Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump believes in reciprocity in trade, adding, “It is about time we have a President who actually looks out for the interests of American businesses and workers.”
Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Plan: What It Means for India
President Trump’s administration has been evaluating reciprocal tariffs since February, with an investigation set to conclude by April 1. If implemented, these tariffs would require India and other trading partners to match US tariff levels or face countermeasures.
The US is demanding that India eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods except agricultural products, a move that would force New Delhi to relinquish long-standing trade protections. Reports suggest that Indian officials are resisting these demands, emphasizing that no commitments on tariff reductions have been made.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, speaking to a parliamentary panel, clarified, “Negotiations between India and the US are ongoing, but no trade agreement has been finalized. India’s interests will be safeguarded in these discussions.”
India-US Trade Relations at a Crossroads
The US remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record $118.2 billion last financial year. In February, both nations agreed to negotiate the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the end of 2025, aiming for a long-term target of $500 billion in trade by 2030.
President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed this plan during Modi’s visit to Washington last month. However, Trump’s America First approach and push for reciprocal tariffs pose a major challenge to these negotiations.
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With Trump’s tariff deadline fast approaching, India faces growing pressure to reconsider its trade policies. If the US enforces reciprocal tariffs, Indian exports—particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT services—could take a hit.
Meanwhile, the global trade community is closely watching whether India will strike a compromise with Washington or brace for the impact of new US tariffs.
As negotiations continue, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping the future of US-India trade relations.
