Wed Feb 19 10:17:05 UTC 2025: ## Trump Doubles Down on Reciprocal Tariffs with India

**Washington, D.C. –** U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to imposing reciprocal tariffs on India, stating he will match any tariffs levied by India on American goods. In a recent Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, Trump recounted his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that “whatever you charge, I’m charging.” This policy, he claims, is being applied globally.

Trump’s assertion follows the announcement of reciprocal tariffs on February 13th, just hours before Modi’s White House meeting. The President highlighted India’s high tariffs on U.S. imports, particularly in the automotive sector (100%), and asserted that this reciprocal approach is a fair and effective way to level the playing field. He dismissed concerns, stating, “Nobody can argue with me.” Trump’s comments come amidst reports that India has recently lowered its peak tariffs from 150% to 70%.

The interview also featured Elon Musk, who corroborated Trump’s claims regarding India’s high tariffs. Musk further alleged that two NASA astronauts, including Indian-origin Sunita Williams, were left stranded in space for “political reasons” by the Biden administration. However, Williams and her colleague, Butch Wilmore, have since denied these allegations in a CNN interview. Musk’s SpaceX company is responsible for their return to Earth. Trump supported Musk’s claim, alleging that the Biden administration blocked their rescue.

This renewed focus on trade tensions comes as no surprise, given Trump’s past characterization of India as a “tariff king” and his 2019 termination of India’s preferential market access under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The reciprocal tariff strategy remains a central point of contention in the ongoing trade relationship between the U.S. and India.

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