Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 23: US President Donald Trump has declared that his administration will soon impose reciprocal tariffs on countries like India and China, ensuring a tit-for-tat approach in trade. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday, Trump emphasized that the US would mirror tariff policies of its trading partners to create a level playing field.

“We’ll soon impose reciprocal tariffs because that means, they charge us, we charge them. It’s very simple,” Trump was quoted as saying by PTI. He revealed that he had conveyed the same stance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s recent visit to Washington.

India, however, has defended its tariff policies, stating they are within WTO limits. While New Delhi has made concessions, including reducing duties on bourbon whiskey and motorcycles, Washington continues to push for further cuts.

Trump’s tariff strategy extends beyond India, with new duties imposed on Chinese imports, and potential hikes on Canadian, Mexican, and EU goods. China has responded with retaliatory tariffs, while the EU has warned of a strong response if its exports are targeted.

Economic experts caution that while Trump aims to curb the US trade deficit, escalating tariffs could lead to higher costs for American consumers.