Trump called PM Modi a ‘good friend’, said- there will be a trade deal between India and America soon

Washington, June 5. US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “good friend” and said that a trade agreement could soon be signed between the US and India. Addressing an event on coal and energy policy at the White House, Trump said that despite his long-standing criticism of India’s tariff system, trade talks between the two countries are progressing. Responding to a question on reports that the two countries are nearing a trade deal after Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to India, Trump said, “Yes, we are doing this deal.”

He said, “We will reach a compromise because I like your Prime Minister very much. He is my good friend. We get along very well and we will reach a compromise. Our relations are very good.” During this, Trump also reiterated his old complaint that India has been imposing very high tariffs on American products. “India took advantage of the US for many years. They charged us very high tariffs and paid almost nothing themselves,” he said.

Trump cited Harley-Davidson motorcycles as an example. He said that earlier it was difficult for American companies to do business in the Indian market due to heavy import duties. He said, “Earlier India used to impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. So it became difficult for the company to do business there. Ultimately Harley-Davidson had to set up its own plants in India.”

Trump said that there is a big difference between the earlier trade arrangements and the current policy of his government. “They used to impose very high tariffs on our products and we did not take anything from them. But now the situation is completely opposite and we are earning well from trade with India,” he said. Trump’s comments come at a time when there is growing hope in Washington and New Delhi that negotiators from the two countries are getting closer to a trade deal that will ease market access and reduce many tariff-related disputes.

Trade has become one of the most important areas in the India-US strategic partnership. Both governments have consistently stressed that economic ties should be further strengthened along with cooperation in areas such as defence, technology, energy and critical supply chains. Trump’s words also reflected his personal relationship with Prime Minister Modi, which he has often mentioned. During their first term, both the leaders had participated in several major public events, including the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston and the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad.