'Couldn't get any concessions during my first term': Trump hints no US tariff relief for India

US President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration will impose reciprocal tariffs on India, which is one of the “most high-tariff nations”, as he was unable to get any concession during his first term.

“So, we are being reciprocal with India on tariffs. We will charge what they charge… So frankly it doesn’t matter what they charge now,” Trump said during a meeting between the two leaders.

"India has been to us just the highest tariff nation anywhere in the world. They have been very strong on tariff. I don't blame them unnecessarily but it's a different way of doing business. It's very hard to sell in India because of hard barriers."

Trump further said he will be imposing reciprocal tariffs on India and other nations, terming it as "fair tariffs".

"We will be charging them whatever they are charging us. Whatever is India is charging, we are charging them. So it's called reciprocal and it's a very fair way."

Trump said he wanted to impose tariffs in his first term on Spain, Italy, France and India but couldn't do it because of the Covid-19 pandemic as he was not "in the mood" to charge these countries at a time when the world was suffering.

The American President during the meeting singled out India for being a "hard place" to do business.

“India is a very hard place to do business because of the tariffs. They have the highest tariffs, just about in the world, and it's a hard place to do business... No, I would imagine he (Musk) met possibly because, you know, he's running a company," Trump said.