‘We have to fix India’: US official says New Delhi must ‘stop harming’ America

ISLAMABAD: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has called on India to open its markets and stop pursuing policies that he said harm American economic interests, placing New Delhi among Washington’s top trade concerns.

“We have a bunch of countries to fix, like Switzerland, Brazil, India — these are countries that need to really react correctly to America,” Lutnick told US broadcaster NewsNation. “Open their markets, stop taking actions that harm America, and that’s why we’re at odds with them.”

India is already subject to some of the highest US trade levies, including a 50% tariff on certain goods and a 25% penalty linked to its imports of Russian oil. Lutnick said countries that want access to US consumers “have to play ball with the president of the United States.”

Lutnick added, “The way that President Trump does deals, the first deal is always the best deal. And then the next deal is higher, the next deal is higher, the next deal’s higher.” Lutnick’s latest comments add to his rhetoric on India’s trade and energy policies. He has previously described India’s stance in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as “bravado.”

He said these countries [India and Brazil] need to recognize that access to US consumers requires aligning with the policies of the US president, the trade official said, adding that negotiations with other partners are continuing.

India-USA trade talks 

His remarks come as India and the United States resume trade talks after years of friction. A delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington from Sept. 22 to 24, holding talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor.

India’s Commerce Ministry said the meetings were “constructive,” with both sides exchanging views on the contours of a potential agreement and agreeing to continue engagements toward an “early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.”