Washington: US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that the United States and India will be able to reach a trade agreement, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend and highlighting the strong personal rapport between the two leaders.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he was optimistic about the ongoing negotiations between the two countries and believed a mutually beneficial deal could be achieved.
“We will reach an agreement because I like your Prime Minister very much. He is a good friend of mine, we have a great relationship, and we are going to make a deal,” Trump said while responding to a question about the progress of trade discussions between Washington and New Delhi.
At the same time, the US President reiterated his long-standing concerns regarding trade barriers and tariff policies. He argued that India had imposed high tariffs on American companies for many years while the United States had maintained a more open approach.
Trump said that Indian tariffs on certain American goods had been significantly higher in the past and suggested that trade negotiations were aimed at creating a more balanced economic relationship between the two countries.
India and the United States have been engaged in discussions on a broader trade framework covering market access, tariffs, investment opportunities and economic cooperation. Officials from both sides have continued talks in recent months in an effort to strengthen bilateral trade ties and resolve outstanding issues.
The remarks come as the two countries seek to deepen their strategic and economic partnership amid evolving global trade and geopolitical challenges.
