Hours after President Trump paved the way in which US trade ties with broad “mutual” tariffs with India, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a united front at a press conference at the White House on Thursday. did.
Modi is the latest nation to try to lick Trump, who is increasingly thriving by trying to respond to his demands, even if Trump’s promised tariffs fall on the White House meeting. He has become the head of state. Modi praised Trump, using his motto in English to “make America great again” and spoke primarily through translators, applying the motto to India. “Make India great again,” cried Modi.
The warm greetings also extended to Elon Musk, a constant Trump buddy who passes through the federal government as head of initiatives to restructure and reduce the federal government. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, owns many companies, including Starlink, a high-speed internet service that is about to enter India.
All flattering hidden a lot of tensions between the two countries, including the issue of Trump’s signature, trade and immigration. Trump hinted at the biggest thorn when he said at a press conference that the US had a trade deficit of nearly $100 billion with India.
Just a few hours ago, Trump had directed his advisors to devise new tariff levels for countries around the world, taking into account the various trade barriers and other economic approaches adopted by American trade partners. India is one of the countries that could face particularly serious consequences from tariffs.
At a press conference, Trump said he was messing with the idea during his first term, saying India cannot lower tariffs on the US. Now, “We’re going to say, ‘Whatever you charge, we’ll charge,'” Trump said.
“I think that’s fair to the people of America,” Trump said. “And I think that’s actually fair to India.”
Despite looming economic punishments, Modi focused on doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, saying, “We will soon conclude a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the United States.” “We are focusing on this.”
Modi also said India and the US will create a framework for defence cooperation for the next 10 years, adding that both countries will also work together to develop semiconductors, quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
Even in the matter that infuriated some of his constituents in India, Modi tried to appease Trump. At one point, Modi was asked about a US military plane last week filled with Indian immigrants that the US sent to Punjab, India.
A video posted by the US’s best border officials showed immigrants being tied up, prompting anger in India.
Modi refused to admit it. “We believe that anyone who illegally enters another country, they have absolutely no right to be in that country,” he said.
Early in the afternoon, Trump met with Modi in an oval office, with some of the president’s cabinet secretaries joining him. The two leaders sat in their chairs asking questions from the reporters.
Modi and Trump generally enjoy friendly relations. Modi welcomed Trump at a large rally during his presidential visit to India during his first term.
Before Trump and Modi met, the Indian prime minister sat down with Musk.
Modi shared the photo on Musk’s social media site X. It highlighted Musk’s power within the Trump administration. The billionaire sat in front of the American flag next to the Prime Minister and the Indian flag. He was attacked by the head of state, and Trump himself had been envisaged in recent weeks. Musk was accompanied by a longtime adviser, Shibon Jiris, the mother of several of his children, and a mother of three who appeared to exchange gifts with Modi.
At a press conference, Modi said he had known Musk for a while.
Trump’s fourth visit from foreign leaders in the past few weeks is due to his approach to foreign policy with an expansionist mindset and a solid desire to encourage other countries to reimburse military spending. He had already met with leaders of Israel, Japan and Jordan.
Theodore Schleifer contributed the report.
