Washington, US President Donald Trump has said the United States and India are moving towards a trade agreement, while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "good friend" and signalling confidence that the two countries will reach a deal. Speaking at the White House during an event focused on coal and energy policy, Trump said on Thursday that trade negotiations with India were progressing despite his long-standing criticism of India's tariff regime. Asked about reports that a trade agreement was close after Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent visit to India, Trump said: "Well, we have it." He added: "We'll get to a deal because I like -- you know, I like your prime minister a lot. He's a good friend of mine, get along great and we're going to make a deal. We get we have a very good relationship." Trump used the exchange to repeat his long-held criticism that India maintained high tariffs on American products. "India, for years, really took advantage of the United States," he said. "They charged us tremendous tariffs, and they paid nothing." Show more Show less
‘India took advantage of the US for years’, says Trump, MEA reacts
Washington, US President Donald Trump has said the United States and India are moving towards a trade agreement, while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "good friend" and signalling confidence that the two countries will reach a deal. Speaking at the White House during an event focused on coal and energy policy, Trump said on Thursday that trade negotiations with India were progressing despite his long-standing criticism of India's tariff regime. Asked about reports that a trade agreement was close after Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent visit to India, Trump said: "Well, we have it." He added: "We'll get to a deal because I like -- you know, I like your prime minister a lot. He's a good friend of mine, get along great and we're going to make a deal. We get we have a very good relationship." Trump used the exchange to repeat his long-held criticism that India maintained high tariffs on American products. "India, for years, really took advantage of the United States," he said. "They charged us tremendous tariffs, and they paid nothing."
