PM Modi US visit: Trump hints at major trade move ahead of meeting with Narendra Modi, shares cryptic social media post
PTC Web Desk : Hours before his scheduled meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump sparked speculation with a cryptic social media post hinting at a significant announcement on trade and tariffs.
Trump wrote, "THREE GREAT WEEKS, PERHAPS THE BEST EVER, BUT TODAY IS THE BIG ONE: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" This statement comes as discussions on trade and tariffs are expected to be central to his talks with PM Modi during the Indian leader's visit to the United States.
The Trump administration has been vocal about implementing reciprocal tariffs, a policy designed to match US import duties with tax rates imposed by other countries. Trump has consistently criticised what he perceives as unfair trade practices and high tariffs imposed by nations like India, which he claims hinder American exports.
"It's time to be reciprocal. You’ll be hearing that word a lot. Reciprocal. If they charge us, we charge them," Trump said earlier, reinforcing his stance on balanced trade relations. He also mentioned that a detailed order on the new tariff policy would be issued soon, stating that "every country will be reciprocal."
Potential impact on global trade
Trump’s announcement has raised concerns about potential disruptions in global trade, with India and other key trading partners likely to be affected. His administration has previously pressured countries to lower tariffs on American goods, emphasising the need for fair trade practices.
In the past, Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% on Chinese products. However, the implementation of tariffs on Mexico and Canada was paused until March 1, following agreements to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking issues raised by Trump.
PM Modi’s US visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on Thursday after completing his two-day visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
This visit marks a significant moment in diplomatic engagement as PM Modi becomes the fourth foreign leader to meet President Trump since his inauguration on January 20. The meeting is set to cover a broad spectrum of issues, including trade, defence, and strategic cooperation.
During his two-day stay in the US, PM Modi is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with Trump, followed by a joint press conference on Friday. The talks are expected to address trade disputes, particularly US concerns over India's high tariffs on American imports.
Additionally, Modi met with Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, to discuss bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism and security challenges. He is also set to meet Tesla CEO Elon Musk and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz during his visit.
- With inputs from agencies
