Trump signals tariff cuts, says India, US near trade pact

Hailing India as an 'important economic and strategic security partner' in the Indo-Pacific region, US President Donald Trump said the United States has a 'fantastic relationship' with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- TDG NETWORK

US President Donald Trump. File photo

During the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India on Monday, Trump remarked, “We have a fantastic relationship with the Prime Minister, (Narendra) Modi, and Sergio (Gor) has only enhanced that because he’s become already friendly with the Prime Minister.” Underscoring India’s rapid economic growth and its key role in regional security, Trump stated, “India has the fastest-growing middle class and is an ‘important’ economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.”

During the ceremony, Trump also noted that the United States and India were “pretty close” to reaching a “fair trade deal” and indicated his willingness to reduce tariffs imposed on New Delhi. “We're making a deal with India, much different deal than we had in the past. So right now, they don’t love me, but they'll love us again,” Trump said.

He added, “We're getting a fair deal, just a fair-trade deal. We had pretty unfair trade deals. They're very good negotiators, Sergio, so you have to take a look at that, if you would please.”