Fresh cracks within the US Republican leadership have surfaced after leaked audio recordings of Senator Ted Cruz revealed sharp criticism of Vice President J.D. Vance, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, and at times President Donald Trump, over the prolonged delay in finalising an India–US trade agreement.

According to an Axios report, the nearly 10-minute audio recordings, shared by a Republican source, were made during private donor interactions in early and mid-2025. In the recordings, the Texas Republican openly condemns the Trump administration’s tariff-centric trade policy, warning that it could severely damage the US economy and derail strategic trade partnerships — including with India.

Cruz reportedly told donors that he had been “battling” the White House to move forward with a long-pending India–US trade deal, only to face resistance from senior figures within the administration. When asked who was blocking progress, Cruz named Peter Navarro, Vice President Vance, and “sometimes even the President himself.”

The leaked audio captures Cruz positioning himself as a traditional free-trade, pro-intervention Republican, distancing his views from the more isolationist wing represented by Vance and conservative media figures. The comments come amid speculation that Cruz could position himself for a potential 2028 presidential run.

Tariffs, economy, and a tense White House call

Cruz sharply criticised President Trump’s tariff strategy, reportedly warning donors that high tariffs could devastate retirement savings, spike consumer prices, and trigger a political backlash. He recounted a late-night phone call with Trump in April 2025 — after new tariffs were announced — during which Cruz and other senators urged the President to reconsider.

According to Cruz, the call ended acrimoniously, with Trump allegedly shouting and cursing at lawmakers. Cruz claimed he warned the President that if Americans’ 401(k) accounts fell sharply and grocery prices rose by double digits ahead of the 2026 midterms, Republicans would face an electoral “bloodbath.”

Trump, Cruz said, responded angrily, underscoring deep divisions within the party over economic policy.

India–US trade deal caught in internal politics

A significant portion of Cruz’s remarks focused on the stalled India–US trade negotiations, which have been discussed intermittently for years. Despite public optimism from both governments, the deal has failed to materialise, particularly amid disagreements over tariffs, market access, and regulatory barriers.

Cruz suggested that ideological resistance within the Trump administration — especially from advisers opposed to free-trade agreements — had slowed momentum. He expressed frustration that strategic partners like India were being sidelined despite their importance to US supply-chain diversification, Indo-Pacific stability, and economic growth.

JD Vance and Tucker Carlson factor

In the recordings, Cruz repeatedly linked Vice President Vance to conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, accusing Carlson of promoting an anti-interventionist and isolationist worldview. Cruz alleged that Vance reflects Carlson’s ideological influence, stating, “Tucker created JD. JD is Tucker’s protégé.”

While Cruz has publicly criticised Carlson before, the leaked audio shows him drawing a sharper connection between Carlson’s views and Vance’s policy stance — particularly on foreign trade and international engagement.

Political implications

The revelations highlight growing ideological rifts within the Republican Party over tariffs, trade policy, and America’s global economic role. They also cast uncertainty over the future of India–US economic relations at a time when both countries publicly emphasise strategic partnership, supply-chain resilience, and Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Neither the White House nor Vice President Vance has officially responded to the leaked audio.