US President Donald Trump reportedly had a falling out with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent phone conversation. Earlier this week, Trump announced 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
Trump Tariffs: India-US relations have plunged to their lowest point in the last three decades after President Donald Trump slapped an additional 25% tariffs on Indian imports, raising the total levy to a staggering 50%. Experts believe that the reason behind the exorbitant tariffs goes beyond Trump’s usual pressure tactics to force countries into a deal he deems beneficial, but is rooted in his anger towards India, which stems from a soured personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What PM Modi told Donald Trump?
According to a Bloomberg report, the root of Trump’s grudge against India, particularly his anger towards PM Modi, can be traced to the recent 35-minute phone conversation on June 17, during which the Indian Prime Minister reportedly gave a piece of his mind to the US President for repeatedly claiming to have mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire in May this year.
During the June 17 phone call, Modi chastised Trump for his mediation claim, and stated that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was reached upon bilaterally, without the mediation of any third party. The Indian Prime Minister also clarified New Delhi’s stance on the India-Pakistan issue, stressing that India does not need or accept any third party mediation in the matter, and the policy will continue.
How Munir’s lunch with Trump worsened matters?
As per the report, Trump’s White House lunch date with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir made matters worse, and Modi also clarified his position on Washington hosting Munir at Oval Office. PM Modi reportedly told Donald Trump that the Indian government and its leadership does have a problem with the US President meeting Pakistani government leaders, but objected to the Pakistani army chief being hosted at White House.
However, Modi’s concerns were brushed aside by Trump, the report said.
Why PM Modi declined Trump’s invite?
The Trump-Modi phone call took place when the G-7 summit was underway in Canada. Trump had to leave the event because of the Iran-Israel war situation at the time, so the two leaders were unable to meet in person as the US President had left before PM Modi arrived.
Later, while Modi was in Canada for the summit, Trump had asked him to visit the US and stay at the White House on his way back to India, but the India PM declined the invite, purportedly because he was apprehensive that Trump was plotting to arrange a forced meeting between him and Asim Munir.
According to geopolitical analysts, these events hurt Trump’s ego, which resulted in him weaponizing tariffs as a means to settle a personal vendetta against India and Modi.
Trump doubles tariffs on India
On Wednesday, Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods, raising the total levy to 50%. The US President called the additional tariffs on India as a “punishment” for purchasing Russian oil and weapons, as he accused New Delhi of “funding” Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent,” the order reads.
