WASHINGTON – American President Donald Trump on Sunday hit out at Indiafor levying tariffs on US goods, while pushing his ‘America first’ motto.Trump said the US will do whatever is necessary to have fair traderelations with other countries.
“I mean, we have India, where some of the tariffs are 100 per cent. Ahundred per cent. And we charge nothing. We can’t do that. And so we aretalking to many countries. We’re talking to all countries. And it’s goingto stop. Or we’ll stop trading with them. And that’s a very profitableanswer if we have to do it,” said Trump at the White House press briefingon G7link> summitlink>.
Trump’s reaction to India came while he was discussing how the tariffsaffect his country`s exports, particularly in the agricultural sector andthe farmers.
“Tariffs are going to come way down because people cannot continue to dothat. We’re like the piggybank that everybody is robbing. And that ends,”said Trump.
Earlier this year, Trump had slammed India over high import tariffs onHarley-Davidson bikes, calling it “unfair”, even as New Delhi slashedcustoms duty on imported motorcycles from high-end brands to 50 per cent.
He said the recent decision of the Indian government to reduce the tarifffrom 75 per cent to 50 per cent was not enough and asked that it should bereciprocal, as the US imposes “zero tax” on the import of motorcycles.
The US President had also referred to a conversation he had with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, calling him a “beautiful man”.
“And a great gentleman called me from India and he said, we have justreduced the tariff on motorcycles, reduced it down to 50 per cent from 75,and even 100 per cent,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Trump also hit out at Canada for imposing tariffs.
In a series of back to back tweets, the US President accused Canadian PrimeMinister Justin Trudeau of making “false statements” and said refused toendorse the G7 communique.
“Based on Justin`s false statements at his news conference, and the factthat Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers andcompanies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique aswe look at tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!,” he tweeted onSaturday.
In a second tweet, Trump said: “PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meekand mild during our G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I leftsaying that, `US Tariffs were kind of insulting` and he `will not be pushedaround`. Very dishonest and weak. Our tariffs are in response to his of 270per cent on dairy!”
The US President has been pitching for a “reciprocal tax” on countries thathe feels “abuse” their trade relationships with the US.