India auto tariffs at 70%, Trump claims over 100%
President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of reciprocal tariffs, claiming that India imposes auto tariffs exceeding 100%, despite India reducing its highest rate to 70%.
“India charges auto tariffs higher than 100%,” Trump stated during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, justifying his push for higher U.S. tariffs on imports.
However, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her recent budget that tariffs on luxury cars had been cut from 125% to 70%. Additionally, tariffs on high-end motorcycles were reduced from 50% to 40%.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Washington for discussions on tariffs with U.S. officials.
Trump defended his tariff strategy by stating, “Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them.” His reciprocal tariff policy, set to take effect on April 2, follows his promise: “Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them.”
He also criticized China, South Korea, and Brazil, claiming their tariffs on U.S. products are significantly higher than what the U.S. imposes on them.
On the same day as Trump’s speech, his administration’s 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% increase, took effect.
Acknowledging potential economic disruptions, Trump admitted tariffs might cause “a little disturbance” and an “adjustment period” but insisted they would ultimately make the U.S. stronger.
Stock markets have dropped over 3% in the last two days, and retailers have warned of rising grocery prices due to the tariffs.
India’s tariffs on U.S. imports have been a recurring topic for Trump, who has frequently criticized duties on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and whiskey in past remarks.
