Trump Says U.S. Nearing Trade Deal with India, Expands Tariffs on 14 Nations
President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States is close to finalizing a bilateral trade agreement with India, even as his administration escalated tariff action against 14 other countries. The move marks a renewed effort to reshape global trade dynamics in America’s favor ahead of key diplomatic and economic summits.
“We are close to making a deal with India,” Trump told reporters during a private dinner with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. “We’ve made a deal with the United Kingdom. We’ve made a deal with China.”
While Trump did not specify the scope or terms of the expected deal with India, his comments signal a significant shift — especially given his earlier warnings to countries engaging with the BRICS alliance, of which India is a founding member.
Tariff Wave Targets Asia and Africa
Alongside this announcement, Trump unveiled a sweeping tariff expansion affecting imports from 14 countries, including U.S. allies and developing economies. The new tariff rates, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, are set to take effect from August 1.
Country Tariff (%)
South Korea, Japan 25%
Myanmar, Laos 40%
South Africa 30%
Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Tunisia 25%
Indonesia 32%
Bosnia & Herzegovina 30%
Bangladesh, Serbia 35%
Cambodia, Thailand 36%
“We’re sending letters to various countries telling them how much tariffs they have to pay,” Trump said, noting that these moves target nations with whom trade talks have stalled or failed to meet U.S. expectations.
India’s Balancing Act in Focus
India’s inclusion as a potential deal partner stands out, particularly in light of Trump’s earlier warnings aimed at countries aligned with “anti-American BRICS policies.” In a recent post, Trump wrote:
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
Despite being a BRICS member, India appears to be negotiating carve-outs or separate terms. Trump hinted that tariff rules may be adjusted in select cases:
“Some will maybe adjust a little bit depending if they have a cause. We’re not going to be unfair about it,” he said.
Geopolitical Trade Strategy Tightens
With existing trade deals reaffirmed with the U.K. and China, and a push to finalize one with India, Trump’s broader trade vision appears to combine bilateralism with aggressive tariff leverage — penalizing countries he views as adversarial or non-cooperative.
As of now, India has not issued an official response to Trump’s comments or the proposed deal timeline.
Comments are closed.