Union Minister Piyush Goyal during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Amid apprehensions that the incoming administration in the United States may impose higher tariffs on imports, including on Indian goods, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that president-elect Donald Trump is a “friend of India” and the ties between the two countries would continue to blossom and grow further.
Addressing a media briefing, Goyal said India’s relations with the US have got better and better every year. “Mr Trump is a friend of India, a friend of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I am sure this friendship will only continue to blossom and grow further as is evident from the various comments he has made so far,” Goyal said.
Trump, who is set to begin his second term as the US president on January 20, recently unveiled plans to impose higher tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada. He has announced the imposition of 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian imports and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
During the election campaign, Trump had also talked about Indian imports. Though Trump has not disclosed the tariff plans for India yet, many exporters are worried that his administration would impose higher taxes on Indian goods.
When asked about this apprehension, Goyal said, “We need not jump the gun. We should let the new government come and take charge and express their formal and official views.”
“To the best of my understanding of the situation and my own experience in working with the Trump administration, I do not foresee any problem whatsoever,” he added.
Goyal underlined that Indian-US relations have strengthened over the years as PM Modi has worked with three US presidents – Barack Obama, Trump and Joe Biden. “We will again work with the Trump administration,” he added.
On the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Goyal said it is an unfair tariff and violates the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”.