Washington/New Delhi : US President Donald Trump has criticized the recently announced U.S.-India trade agreement, challenging claims by the Modi government that it represents a major win for India. Trump asserted that the deal heavily favors the United States, leaving India burdened with high tariffs and limited concessions.
Trump highlighted the disparity in a blunt statement: “Nothing has changed; they [India] are paying tariffs, we are not.” Analysts say this exposes the significant compromises India made under U.S. economic pressure and undermines the government’s narrative of a diplomatic and trade victory.
The trade tensions trace back to May 2025, when Trump warned that iPhones must be made in the U.S. or face a 25% tariff on Indian imports. By July 2025, these tariffs were imposed, followed by additional 25% duties on India’s Russian oil imports in August, with Trump describing India’s economy as “dead.”
Despite the February 2026 announcement of the Modi-Trump trade deal, Trump’s recent remarks recast the agreement as heavily skewed toward the U.S., leaving Indian industries with minimal relief. Experts predict the statement may spark criticism of the Modi administration for misrepresenting the deal and could influence domestic perceptions of India-U.S. trade relations.
