Trump says India promised tariff cuts while Modi shows solidarity with Xi and Putin
Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed India offered to slash tariffs on American goods to zero, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi aligned with China and Russia at a high-profile summit in China.
Trump’s Tariff Remark
On September 1, Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that India had offered to cut tariffs on U.S. goods to nothing. Calling the U.S.-India relationship “one-sided,” Trump added, “They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”
India’s Silence And U.S. Response
The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Trump’s statement. Meanwhile, neither the U.S. State Department nor the White House issued comments, leaving questions over the potential shift in trade policy unresolved. Current duties on Indian goods reportedly reach as high as 50 percent, fueling ongoing friction.
Modi’s China Visit
At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to China for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The event gathered more than 20 leaders from non-Western nations, with Chinese President Xi Jinping promoting his vision for a new global security and economic framework focused on the Global South.
Symbolic Solidarity With Russia And China
Images from the summit showed Modi walking hand-in-hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin before joining Xi Jinping. The display was seen as a symbolic gesture of unity among the three powers. Modi’s presence also marked his first visit to China in seven years, signaling an effort to reset bilateral ties.
Strategic Interests And Trade Partnerships
Despite tensions with Washington, India and the U.S. have strengthened relations in recent years due to shared concerns over China’s rising influence. However, Trump previously threatened India with tariffs after it continued purchasing Russian oil, resisting U.S. pressure over the Ukraine conflict. Modi and Xi, in their bilateral talks, emphasized partnership over rivalry and discussed improving trade cooperation.
Global Implications
Beijing leveraged the summit to improve ties with New Delhi, underscoring the shifting dynamics of global alliances. For Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Singapore, these developments highlight the growing weight of multipolar diplomacy, where trade decisions in Washington, Beijing, and New Delhi ripple through regional economies.
Trump’s claim of India offering zero tariffs arrives at a moment when Modi balances ties with both Washington and Beijing. For Indonesia and Singapore, whose economies depend on stable trade flows, the outcome of U.S.-India negotiations and China-India cooperation will shape future economic and security landscapes across Asia.
Sources: The Business Times (2025) , The Japan Times (2025)
Keywords: Trump Tariff Claim, India Zero Duties, US India Trade, Modi Xi Summit, Putin Modi Meeting, Global South
