Trump Slams India Over High Tariffs, Cites Harley Davidson as Talks Stall

International News:US President Donald Trump has once again expressed displeasure over India's high import duty (tariff). While addressing a press conference from the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday, he said that India is one of the countries that impose the highest tariffs in the world. Trump said that the Indian market is still difficult for American products and, citing the example of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, accused India of imposing high duty.

Trump said, "We were not able to do much business with India, but India was doing a lot of trade with us. We did not impose any duty on them—this was our foolishness. Whatever goods they made came to the American market without any hindrance. But when we wanted to send our goods to India, we had to pay a heavy tariff on them."

Claim of '200% tariff' on Harley-Davidson

Trump said that it is almost impossible to sell premium motorcycles like Harley-Davidson in India because of the heavy import duty imposed on them. He claimed that a duty of up to 200% was imposed in India, due to which American companies suffered in competition. However, according to government data, this duty was 100% in 2018. After this the Indian Government gradually reduced the import duty. Currently the rates are as follows:

• Import duty on motorcycles up to 1,600 cc: 40%
• Import duty on motorcycles above 1,600 cc: 30%

Despite this, Trump believes that these rates are still very high and it has not become easy for American companies to access the Indian market.

Deadlock in trade talks

Earlier this year, it was expected that India could propose imposing zero duty on a limited number of premium motorcycles. But at present, the talks between the two countries about the trade agreement are stalled. Experts believe that India is now emphasizing strengthening its trade partnership with countries like China and Russia to balance the US pressure. Trump said, "We have a good relationship with India. But you have to understand that for many years this relationship was one-sided. Now things have changed because we have strength and options."

America's message on global trade

Trump said that many countries are ready to enter into new trade agreements with the US. Giving the example of Japan, he said that the leader of a friendly country told him - "It is surprising that we avoided this for so many years." Trump's statement has come at a time when trade tensions are increasing between the US, China, Russia and other countries. The growing tariff dispute between India and the US is expected to affect not only bilateral trade but also global markets. Experts say that unless the issue of high duties on motorcycles and other premium products is resolved, the chances of a strong trade deal between the two countries are very low.