NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, September 2, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 1 that India has proposed reducing its tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, calling the trade relationship “one-sided.” On his Truth Social platform, he wrote: “They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”
The timing of Trump’s statement is particularly notable. It coincides with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts suggest that Modi’s diplomatic engagement with China and Russia, amid U.S. trade pressure, may indicate a strategic pivot by India as it balances global partnerships.
While Trump has publicly claimed that India offered to eliminate tariffs, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government. The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump’s statement comes amid ongoing trade tensions. The U.S. had imposed tariffs on Indian goods, citing concerns over India’s purchase of Russian oil and arms. In response, India has reportedly paused plans to procure new weapons and aircraft from the U.S.
The SCO, of which India is a member, recently issued a statement opposing unilateral coercive measures, particularly economic sanctions, emphasizing that such actions violate international law and disrupt global trade. While the statement did not mention the U.S. directly, it reflects broader concerns over protectionist policies.
