Donald Trump Reaffirms Reciprocal Tariffs for India: ‘Getting Ready to Do It’

Washington, D.C., Feb 22, 2025 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on trade partners, including India and China, emphasizing that his administration would implement a fair tariff policy to counter foreign duties on American goods.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump stated, “We’ll soon impose reciprocal tariffs because that means, they charge us, we charge them. It’s very simple. Whatever a country, such as India or China, charges us, we will charge them in return.”

The 78-year-old Republican leader added, “We have never done this before, but we are getting ready to do it.”

Trump’s comments echoed his remarks made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington, D.C. In a joint interview with Elon Musk on Fox News, Trump had warned that India “will not be spared from Washington’s reciprocal tariffs.”

“I told Prime Minister Modi yesterday, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do: reciprocal. Whatever you charge, I’m charging,’” he said.

Trump also joked about his past fondness for the word “tariff,” noting that it had dropped to fourth place after “family,” “love,” and “God.” He quipped, “I think, let’s put God first. You know why? Because we don’t want to take any chances.”

Trump’s Tariff Strategy and India’s Trade Relations

Trump’s reaffirmation of reciprocal tariffs came just hours before his scheduled bilateral meeting with Modi.

“I’ve decided, for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff,” Trump announced from the Oval Office while signing a proclamation. “It’s fair to all. No other country can complain,” he added.

During his first term as U.S. president, Trump had described India as a “tariff king” and, in May 2019, terminated India’s preferential market access under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), citing inadequate access for U.S. goods in Indian markets.

Trump’s latest comments signal a potential revival of his hardline trade policies if he secures a second term in office.