Former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “very smart man” and a “good friend” while addressing concerns about tariffs between India and the United States.
Trump’s remarks were discussed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and U.S. Secretary of State Christopher Landau on trade barriers and balanced economic relations.
“Prime Minister Modi has been here lately and we have been very good friends,” Trump said at the White House on Friday.
Trump refers to India’s trade policy, “India is one of the highest tariff countries in the world. … It’s cruel, it’s cruel. They’re very smart. He (Modi) is a very smart guy and a good friend of mine. We had a great conversation. I think it will work well between India and our country.”
His statement coincides with ongoing negotiations between U.S. and Indian officials to establish a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Brendan Lynch, assistant U.S. trade representative, is currently pushing for negotiations in India.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) confirmed that in the dialogue, Misri and Landau “touched the growing bilateral trade, defense and technical cooperation, and issues related to mobility and immigration.”
State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce said both sides discussed “ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to building a fair, balanced bilateral trade relationship” while also strengthening defense and technical cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington, D.C. in February marked a massive diplomatic engagement between the two leaders, less than a month after Trump was sworn in for the second term. Subsequently, the two countries announced plans to negotiate a multi-sector BTA.
Trump, who previously called India the “tariff king” and the “big abuser”, is now optimistic about trade relations, strengthening his personal rapport with Modi.
