Trump says India 'biggest' import tariff charger, vows to reciprocate if elected

Donald Trump vows to introduce reciprocal tax on India, but praises PM Modi.

Vowing to introduce a reciprocal tax if elected to power, former U.S. president Donald Trump has claimed that India imposes the highest tariffs on foreign products. But they do it with a smile, he added.

Also read: ‘India not an ‘abuser’ of tariffs, Trump’s claims unfair,’ says think tank GTRI

“Perhaps the most important element of my plan to make America extraordinarily wealthy again is reciprocity. It's a word that's very important in my plan because we generally don't charge tariffs. I started that process, it was so great, with the vans and the small trucks, etc,” Mr. Trump said Thursday (October 10, 2024) in a major economic policy speech.

“We really don't charge. China will charge us a 200 per cent tariff. Brazil is a big charger. The biggest charger of all is India,” the Republican presidential candidate said in Detroit.

But he softened the blow by heaping praise on Mr. Modi.

“India is a very big charger. We have a great relationship with India. I did. And especially the leader, Modi. He's a great leader. Great man. Really is a great man. He's brought it together. He's done a great job,” he said.

“I mean, I think they probably charge more than, in many ways, China. But they do it with a smile. They do it... Sort of a nicer charge. They said thank you so much for purchasing from India,” he told members of the Detroit Economic Club.