US President Hails PM Modi as the ‘Tougher Negotiator’ While Defending Reciprocal Tariffs
February 14, 2025: Trump Acknowledges PM Modi’s Superior Negotiation Skills in US-India Trade Talks
Washington DC:
During a high-profile joint press conference following an hour-long bilateral meeting, US President Donald Trump candidly admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a better and tougher negotiator than him. When asked who had the upper hand in trade negotiations, Trump responded with his characteristic bluntness, saying:
“He is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”
The remark comes at a time when US-India trade relations are under intense scrutiny, especially after Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs announcement, aimed at imposing equal trade duties on nations that tax US imports.
Also Read: Trump Hails “Wonderful Trade Deals” As He Meets “Great Leader” PM Modi At White House
Trump Defends Reciprocal Tariffs as “Fair Policy”
Trade and tariffs remain central to Trump’s economic strategy, aligning with his long-standing commitment to “Make America Great Again.” He emphasized that the reciprocal tariff system is a necessary response to years of failed attempts at reducing trade barriers on US exports.
Also Read: “India Is Not Neutral”: PM Modi Backs Peace at Trump Meeting Amid Russia-Ukraine War
🔹 Trump on Tariffs:
“It is only fair that taxes and tariffs are reciprocal. Many attempts have been made to reduce tariffs on our exports, but since that hasn’t worked out, we have now decided to reciprocate in the exact same way – something that has not been done before.”
#WATCH | Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump says, "He (PM Narendra Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest."
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
(Video: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/V8EzU0FfE9
🔹 On Economic Revival Post-COVID:
“We have been the number one economy in the world, but ever since COVID, the economy has been under stress. We will now revive it.”
US-India Bilateral Talks: Key Takeaways
Besides trade and tariffs, PM Modi and President Trump discussed a broad spectrum of critical issues, including:
✅ Defense and Security Cooperation
✅ Strengthening Foreign Investments
✅ Energy and Technology Partnerships
✅ Education and Skill Development
✅ Visa and Immigration Policies
✅ Regional and Global Security Concerns
Trump reiterated his admiration for PM Modi, stating:
“Prime Minister Modi is a great leader. We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”
PM Modi’s 10th US Visit: Strengthening India-US Ties
PM Modi is one of the first world leaders to visit Washington after Trump’s electoral victory, signaling the importance of India-US relations. This marks Modi’s 10th visit to the US as Prime Minister and his fourth bilateral meeting with Trump as President.
With tariffs, trade deals, and defense partnerships dominating the agenda, this visit could shape the trajectory of India-US relations for years to come.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s aggressive trade policies and Modi’s strategic diplomacy, the next few months will be crucial in determining how these negotiations unfold. Will India manage to secure trade concessions, or will the reciprocal tariffs strain bilateral ties?
Stay tuned for further updates on India-US trade relations! 🚨
Tags: PMModi, DonaldTrump, TradeWars, USIndiaRelations, ReciprocalTariffs, GlobalEconomy,