Trump made four calls to PM Modi, but he did not talk to him even once.
New Delhi: A German newspaper, FAZ, has made a sensational claim, according to which, US President Donald Trump made four calls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding tariffs, but PM Modi did not talk to him even once. This has increased tension between the two leaders. However, the newspaper has not mentioned in its report when these calls were made.
Why is PM Modi angry with President Trump?
According to the newspaper, PM Modi is angry with Trump’s aggressive trade policy and calling India a ‘dead economy’. It further says that now, India has cancelled the talks for a trade agreement with the USA and the US delegation was stopped from coming to New Delhi.
Trump has imposed a total tariff of 50% on India, out of which a 25% tariff has been imposed as a penalty, which will come into effect from August 27, i.e. tomorrow. Trump says that India’s purchase of Russian oil is helping Putin to continue the war against Ukraine.
‘Trump starts talks by threatening tariffs’
The newspaper has quoted experts as saying, “Usually, Trump’s method is that he first attacks a country over trade deficit, then threatens high tariffs. After this, talks start in fear, and finally, he tries to call himself a winner by imposing high tariffs and then giving some concessions. This has happened with many countries, and Trump showed how strong his hold on the American market is, but Modi refused to bow down this time.”
Trump’s attitude reminded Modi of an old ‘insult’ by Xi Jinping
The newspaper has written that PM Modi has felt very bad about Trump’s behaviour. He is reminding Modi of the old betrayal that he received from Jinping almost a decade ago. Chinese President Xi Jinping had come to Gujarat and promised friendship to Modi, but at the same time, the Chinese army had entered Indian territory in the Himalayas.
However, PM Modi tried to build good relations with Jinping, but the situation worsened when Chinese soldiers clashed with Indian soldiers. It is said that since then, PM Modi has bottled up a lot of resentment inside him.
Now, Trump’s attitude reminds him of that episode with Jinping.
How could this affect the Indian economy?
According to a report, America’s 50% tariff can affect India’s exports. 20% of India’s exports, such as clothes, jewellery and auto parts, go to America. This huge tariff can reduce India’s economic growth rate from 6.5% to 5.5%.
President Trump has also claimed to bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor about 30 times since 10 May, when a ceasefire was announced. Prime Minister Modi has clearly denied this. India clearly says that the ceasefire between the two countries has happened through mutual talks, and there is no role of any third party in it.
HIGHLIGHTS
- US President Trump made four calls to Prime Minister Modi, but PM Modi did not talk to him even once.
- According to the newspaper, PM Modi is angry with Trump’s aggressive trade policy and calling India a ‘dead economy’.
- India has cancelled the talks for a trade agreement with the USA, and the US delegation was stopped from coming to New Delhi.
- Trump says that India’s purchase of Russian oil is helping Putin to continue the war against Ukraine.
The newspaper has quoted experts as saying, “Usually, Trump’s method is that he first attacks a country over trade deficit, then threatens high tariffs. After this, talks start in fear, and finally, he tries to call himself a winner by imposing high tariffs and then giving some concessions, but Modi refused to bow down this time.”
