Trade talks and Russian oil: What Donald Trump said on 50% tariff imposed on Indian goods

US President Donald Trump, addressing the House GOP Member Retreat on Tuesday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not that happy" with him due to tariffs or import duties on Indian goods due to Russian oil purchases.

"India ordered 68 Apaches, and Prime Minister Modi came to see me, 'sir, may I see you, please?' Yes. I have a very good relationship with him. He is not that happy with me because, you know, they are paying a lot of tariffs now because they are not doing the oil, but they are, they have now reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia," he said.

The threat by the US President came at a time when the two nations were negotiating a bilateral trade agreement. To date, six rounds of negotiations have been conducted. The pact includes a framework deal to resolve the 50% tariffs on Indian goods entering America.

On December 23 last year, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said New Delhi is actively engaged in trade discussions with Washington and hopes to conclude the talks "sooner than later" in a manner that restores deeper market access for domestic exporters.

US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer was recently in India with his team to take stock of these talks. The latest round of two-day talks concluded on December 11, 2025.

As part of the pact, the US is seeking duty concessions on agricultural products like corn, apples and almonds as well as on industrial goods. India has strongly opposed any concessions in the agri and dairy sectors. India has stated that it will not compromise the interests of farmers and MSMEs.