Trump’s bold message to India: ‘They tax us, we tax them!’

US President-elect Donald Trump has outlined a bold plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries, including India, that impose high duties on American goods. Speaking to reporters, Trump made it clear: if nations tax US products, the US will respond in kind.

“Reciprocal. If they tax us, we tax them the same amount,” Trump said, stressing that the US has been unfairly taxed while other countries face little to no tariffs on their goods. He specifically pointed out India and Brazil as examples, where high tariffs on US products have created an imbalance in trade relations.

Trump’s focus on fairness came through strongly during the conversation. He noted that if India charges a 100% tariff on US goods, the US will match it. “The word ‘reciprocal’ is important,” he stated. “If they charge us 100%, do we charge them nothing for the same? They send in a bicycle and we send them a bicycle.” According to Trump, India and Brazil impose high tariffs and it is only fair that the US retaliates similarly.

His comments on fairness were echoed by Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary, who affirmed that reciprocity would drive the administration’s trade policy. “How you treat us is how you should expect to be treated,” Lutnick said.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Biden administration expressed confidence that US-India relations remain strong. Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State, assured that the relationship was in a “very strong place” and would continue to enjoy bipartisan support under Trump. He highlighted recent high-level engagements, including the QUAD summit, and anticipates more collaborations in the near future.

Trump’s tough stance on tariffs marks a shift in US trade policy, aiming for fairness and balanced exchanges with countries that have traditionally imposed higher duties on American products.