Trump and Modi Meet Amid New U.S. Tariffs on India \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Thursday, aiming to strengthen U.S.-India relations amid rising trade tensions. Hours before their meeting, Trump signed new reciprocal tariffs, affecting India and other U.S. trading partners. Modi, who has praised Trump’s leadership, seeks closer ties with Washington despite past disputes over tariffs, immigration, and defense agreements. The visit highlights India’s strategic importance in U.S. efforts to counter China in the Indo-Pacific.
Trump-Modi Meeting: Quick Looks
- Trump and Modi met at the White House on Thursday amid rising trade tensions and new U.S. tariffs.
- Hours before their meeting, Trump signed new reciprocal tariffs, impacting India and other U.S. trading partners.
- Modi praised Trump’s leadership, seeking closer U.S.-India ties despite trade disputes.
- India has taken steps to reduce tensions, including lowering tariffs on U.S. goods and increasing energy imports.
- Defense cooperation remains strong, with India purchasing U.S.-made drones and jet engines for military use.
- Modi met with Elon Musk ahead of his White House visit, sparking speculation about business and government interests.
- Immigration was a key topic, as India accepted 104 deported migrants from the U.S. under Trump’s new crackdown.
- India plays a crucial role in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, hosting a Quad Summit with the U.S., Japan, and Australia later this year.
Deep Look
New U.S. Tariffs Add Tension to Trump-Modi Talks
Just hours before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House on Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new tariffs on U.S. trading partners—including India. The move raises tensions as Modi seeks to strengthen ties with Washington, despite Trump’s frequent criticism of India’s trade policies.
Trump has long labeled India the “tariff king” and has repeatedly criticized its high import duties, particularly on American goods like motorcycles, agricultural products, and technology exports. In response, India has attempted to ease tensions, agreeing to lower tariffs on certain U.S. goods and increase energy imports.
However, Trump’s latest tariff hike could complicate efforts to finalize a trade deal that both nations have been negotiating for months.
“India is a very hard place to do business because of the tariffs,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “They have the highest tariffs, just about in the world.”
Despite this, Trump and Modi struck a friendly tone heading into their discussions, with both leaders emphasizing their commitment to stronger ties.
Modi’s Diplomatic Outreach & India’s Trade Strategy
Ahead of his visit, Modi praised Trump’s leadership, calling his reelection a “victory for democracy” and highlighting India’s shared strategic interests with the U.S.
“This visit is an opportunity to deepen our partnership in key areas such as technology, trade, defense, and energy,” Modi said before departing for Washington.
The timing of Modi’s trip is significant. It follows his party’s victory in a high-stakes state election in New Delhi, reinforcing his domestic standing. Modi is also working to improve relations with Western allies, following criticism over his refusal to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine.
India, while a close U.S. partner, has maintained strong economic and defense ties with Moscow, frustrating some American officials. However, Modi is positioning India as a key player in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in U.S.-led efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
Key Trade Issues Between India and the U.S.
The United States is India’s largest trade partner, but the two nations have a trade deficit of $50 billion in India’s favor.
- 2023 U.S.-India trade total: $190.1 billion
- U.S. exports to India: Nearly $70 billion
- U.S. imports from India: $120 billion
In recent years, India has taken steps to reduce trade tensions, including:
- Lowering tariffs on U.S. goods—including a reduction from 50% to 40% on some Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
- Ending retaliatory tariffs on U.S. almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils, and walnuts.
- Approving a defense deal allowing General Electric to manufacture jet engines in India.
- Purchasing U.S.-made MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for military use.
Despite these concessions, Trump remains focused on eliminating trade deficits, a stance he has taken with multiple countries, including China, Japan, Canada, and the European Union.
Defense & Security: The Growing U.S.-India Partnership
While trade remains a point of contention, defense cooperation is a bright spot in U.S.-India relations.
- The U.S. sees India as a critical ally in countering China in the Indo-Pacific.
- India will host a Quad summit later this year, bringing together the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia.
- Modi’s visit follows recent agreements on joint military technology production, including fighter jet engines and surveillance drones.
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Modi met with national security adviser Mike Waltz and billionaire Elon Musk, who serves as Trump’s top government efficiency adviser.
Elon Musk’s Meeting With Modi Raises Questions
Modi’s meeting with Musk—who brought his children and an executive from his company Neuralink—sparked speculation about whether their discussion focused on government matters or Musk’s business interests.
When asked whether Musk met Modi as a government official or a tech CEO, Trump downplayed concerns:
“No, I would imagine he met possibly because, you know, he’s running a company,” Trump said.
While details of the conversation remain undisclosed, the meeting highlights Musk’s growing role in the Trump administration, particularly in government restructuring and technology policy.
Immigration & Border Security: India’s Role in Trump’s Crackdown
Another key topic of discussion between Modi and Trump is immigration.
In a recent deal, India accepted the return of 104 Indian nationals deported from the U.S. via a military transport plane—the first such repatriation flight under Trump’s new immigration crackdown.
The move signals India’s cooperation with U.S. border security efforts, a priority for Trump’s administration. However, future deportation agreements remain uncertain, as India has historically resisted large-scale repatriation efforts.
Modi is the Fourth World Leader to Visit Trump Since His Reelection
Since returning to the White House, Trump has hosted several key foreign leaders:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
- Jordan’s King Abdullah II
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
These high-profile meetings highlight Trump’s focus on trade, security, and diplomatic alliances, particularly in strategic regions like the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
What’s Next?
- India and the U.S. will continue negotiating a trade agreement, which both nations hope to finalize by the end of the year.
- India will host the Quad Summit, where Trump and Modi will likely meet again to discuss regional security and economic cooperation.
- Trump may push for further trade concessions, particularly in reducing the U.S.-India trade deficit.
- The impact of new U.S. tariffs on India’s economy remains unclear, but Modi may seek exemptions or further compromises.
Final Thoughts
While Trump and Modi maintain a warm relationship, their meeting underscores ongoing tensions over trade, tariffs, and economic policy.
With India playing a crucial role in U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Indo-Pacific and countering China, the outcome of their negotiations could shape economic and security relations for years to come.
