Senior Trump aide Sergio Gor on Sunday credited the strong personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving forward the trade deal that brings down US reciprocal tariffs on India to 18 percent.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Gor said the rapport between the two leaders played a decisive role in shaping the agreement.
“All the credit to President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. Since I arrived in India about a month ago, I have said and I truly mean it, that the two leaders have a great personal relationship, and that is something that carried this deal forward. The potential between India and United States is limitless, and I am thrilled that India is getting this 18 per cent which is a massive drop from the previous number. We have incredible deals ahead, and so as I have said since I have arrive here, the best is yet to come,” Gor said.
#MEGAEXCLUSIVE US Ambassador Sergio Gor @USAmbIndia confirmed the US-India deal first to @CNNnews18pic.twitter.com/OeMbFq4yDH— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 2, 2026
Responding to a query on the 25 percent punitive levy imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, Gor confirmed that the charge would no longer apply under the new agreement.
“That is correct! As you saw in the Truth (Social) that the President wrote, part of the agreement is that all nations around the world stop buying oil from Russia in order to bring peace to the situation, and I know the Prime Minister deeply cares about bringing peace in the conflict as does President Trump. So the number as we get finalised will be 18 per cent,” he said.
On other assurances outlined by Trump in his Truth Social post, Gor said discussions would continue at the negotiators’ level, while underlining the broader significance of the announcement.
“I will leave that to the trade negotiators as you know ambassadors don't have necessarily in their portfolio that the trade deal... but overall this is incredible news; 18 per cent and there is a lot of demand with the United States that is open for business under President Trump. It's a new era, and frankly from the start, we have said the President has a great relationship with the Prime Minister. A lot of people did not believe that. He truely does have a great relationship with the Prime Minister and this is why, this happened. Under President Trump's relationship, we have negotiated deals all over the world. So, this was not specific to one country or another. However, I will say that this trade deal is more favourable because of their relationship,” Gor added.
The reduction of tariffs to 18 percent marks a significant development in India-US trade ties and is expected to provide relief to Indian exporters while strengthening broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement marks a sharp shift from late 2025, when the Trump administration had raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent over India’s continued energy ties with Russia. The quick resolution in the first month of 2026, coming soon after India presented its Union Budget, points to a more pragmatic approach.
By sending Sergio Gor, a trusted aide known for delivering results, the US administration has moved away from its earlier protectionist stance. Instead, it has adopted a partnership driven by personal ties, signalling a friendship-led economic alignment that could shape global trade dynamics in the years ahead.
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