• By Ajeet Kumar
  • Fri, 14 Feb 2025 12:38 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Washington: US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on every country that charges duties on US imports, his latest trade salvo directed at American friends and foes that the White House says will strengthen economic and national security. During the high-stakes announcement, Trump said India has more tariffs than nearly any other country.

"On trade, I have decided that for the purpose of fairness, I'll charge reciprocal tariffs - meaning, whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them - no more, no less. They charge us with tax and tariffs, it's very simple we will charge them with exact tax and tariffs," said Trump.

India charges tremendous tariffs: Trump

Trump categorically termed India "charges tremendous tariffs" and cited an example of when American Bike company, Harley Davidson, couldn't sell their motorbikes in India because of the higher tariffs. 

"...Traditionally, India is right at the top of the pack pretty much. There are a couple of smaller countries that are actually more but India charges tremendous tariffs. I remember when Harley Davidson couldn't sell their motorbikes in India because of the fact that in India - the tax was so high, the tariff was so high, and Harley was forced to build... But I think they built a factory in India in order to avoid paying the tariffs. And that's what people can do with us. They can build a factory here, a plant or whatever it may be here and that includes the medical, that includes cars, that includes chips and semiconductors," said Trump.