Reciprocal trade at stake: Trump flags India’s steep auto tariffs.
Trump Defends Tariff Policy, Calls Out India for High Auto Tariffs in Joint Congressional Address In his first address of his second term before a joint session of Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump strongly defended his
Trump Defends Tariff Policy, Calls Out India for High Auto Tariffs in Joint Congressional Address
In his first address of his second term before a joint session of Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump strongly defended his tariff policy, emphasizing that the United States has long faced high tariffs from several countries, including India.
“If you don’t manufacture your product in America under my administration, you will pay a tariff—and in some cases, a substantial one,” Trump declared. “Other countries have imposed tariffs on us for decades, and now it’s our turn to do the same.”
“It’s Very Unfair”
Trump singled out several nations he claimed imposed excessive tariffs on U.S. goods, listing the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada. “Have you heard of them?” he remarked, adding that these countries charge the U.S. “tremendously high tariffs” compared to what the U.S. imposes in return.
Citing India specifically, Trump said, “India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100%.” He also pointed to China, noting that its average tariffs on U.S. goods are twice as high as those imposed by the U.S., while South Korea’s are four times higher.
Reciprocal Tariffs to Take Effect April 2
Trump announced that the United States would introduce reciprocal tariffs on multiple nations starting April 2—not April 1—to avoid any association with April Fools’ Day.
“I wanted it to be April 1st, but I didn’t want it mistaken for an April Fools’ joke,” he quipped. “It’s a lot of money. On April 2nd, reciprocal tariffs kick in. Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them. If they use non-monetary barriers to keep us out of their market, we will do the same to keep them out of ours.”
His announcement was met with a thunderous standing ovation from his supporters in Congress.
The move follows the U.S. decision on Tuesday to enforce a 25% tariff on neighboring trade partners Canada and Mexico. The administration also doubled tariffs on Chinese goods, increasing them from 10% to 20%, citing China’s alleged inaction on fentanyl production.
