‘One-Sided Relationship’: Trump Again Slams India for ‘Tremendous’ Tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his criticism of the trade relationship with India, labeling it “one-sided” and claiming that “tremendous” tariffs have for years hindered American companies from doing business in the country. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump justified his administration’s recent imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian imports, arguing that while Indian goods flow freely into the US, high duties in India have created an unfair playing field.

“We get along with India very well, but for many years, it was a one-sided relationship. India was charging us tremendous tariffs, the highest in the world,” Trump said . He alleged that while the US was a massive market for Indian goods, American businesses struggled to sell their products in India.

“We weren’t doing much business with India, but they were doing business with us because we weren’t charging them foolishly,” he asserted . As a specific example, Trump cited the case of Harley-Davidson, which he claimed faced a 200% tariff on its motorcycles, eventually forcing the company to build a plant in India to circumvent the duties .

The President’s remarks echo a recent post on his Truth Social platform, where he called the trade relationship a “totally one-sided disaster” and claimed that India had recently “offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late” . This claim, which New Delhi has not confirmed, comes amid heightened trade tensions and a souring of diplomatic ties.

The US tariffs were imposed not only due to trade imbalances but also as a punitive measure for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil . Trump also suggested that his tariff policies are successfully encouraging global manufacturers, including carmakers, to shift production to the United States to avoid paying the duties