India denies commitment to lower tariffs following Trump’s claims

India has refuted claims made by former US President Donald Trump that it had agreed to cut tariffs significantly on American imports. Trump's comments, made on Friday, accused India of imposing "massive tariffs" on US goods and claimed that New Delhi had agreed to reduce them.

The Indian government clarified on Tuesday, during a session with a Parliamentary panel, that it had made no such commitments to the United States. According to a report by The Times of India, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal stated that India had requested additional time until September to address the matter, which had been repeatedly raised by President Trump.

Barthwal emphasized that India and the US were working toward a mutually beneficial trade agreement that prioritized long-term cooperation rather than immediate tariff reductions. He also noted that both countries were focused on building a sustainable bilateral relationship, despite differences over trade policies.

Trump's statements followed his criticism of India's tariff practices, which he described as "massive," and he suggested that his actions were exposing unfair trade practices. He further stated that India had agreed to reduce its tariffs as a response to these claims.

In addition, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently underscored that India's tariffs on American goods are among the highest globally. He urged India to reconsider its position, highlighting the special bilateral relationship between the two nations and the need for India to open its agricultural trade to imports.

Meanwhile, concerns about the potential economic impact of Trump's proposed tariffs have caused US stock markets to decline, as investors worry about the repercussions of increased trade tensions.