Trump and Modi Meet at White House to Discuss Trade and Tariffs

The meeting, marked by a personal rapport between the leaders, focuses on bilateral trade issues, immigration, and energy cooperation.

US President Donald Trump is hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for crucial discussions on trade and import tariffs at the White House during Modi’s two-day visit. This meeting comes shortly after Trump announced that US trading partners would now face reciprocal tariffs—essentially matching the import taxes already imposed by those countries on American exports.

Key topics on the agenda include immigration, with Trump expected to request that India accept thousands of undocumented immigrants. Earlier, Modi indicated that discussions would also touch on space, technology, and innovation, following a separate meeting with his ally Elon Musk. Throughout their years of interaction, Trump and Modi have built a personal bond, with Trump stating, "We've had a wonderful relationship" as he greeted Modi in Washington DC.

Modi expressed confidence in the meeting, asserting, "I firmly believe with Trump we will work with twice the speed we did in his first term." Trump added, "They're going to be purchasing a lot of our oil and gas. They need it. And we have it." Prior to these talks, Trump instructed his advisors to consider broad new tariffs on an array of US trading partners, hinting that implementation could commence as early as April 1.

In an Oval Office news conference, the president criticized current taxation systems, claiming, "Our allies are worse than our enemies," regarding import duties, and expressed discontent over what he termed an "unfair system." A White House statement underscored this sentiment, highlighting stark differences in tariff averages: the US maintains a 5% tariff on agricultural goods for most favored nations, whereas India’s averages around 39%, and it imposes a striking 100% tariff on US motorcycles versus a mere 2.4% on Indian models.

While Trump acknowledged concerns that his tariff policies might lead to increased consumer prices in the short term, he argued that they would ultimately promote American manufacturing and result in job creation. The president has already enacted a 10% tariff on Chinese imports due to issues related to fentanyl production, and he is also preparing potential tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which could be activated in March after a 30-day pause.

As the high-stakes conversation unfolds between Trump and Modi, the focus remains on navigating the complexities of international trade and fostering mutual economic growth.