‘India desperate to access US market’: Navarro says America doesn’t need ‘unfair’ trade with Delhi

In a series of posts on X, Navarro accused India of fuelling “Russia’s war chest” by procuring crude oil from Moscow. He wrote, “The US doesn’t need unfair trade with India. But India desperately needs access to US markets and schools and intends to continue taking US jobs.”

6/ Let’s be clear:

The U.S. doesn’t need unfair trade with India.

But India desperately needs access to U.S. markets and schools and intends to continue taking U.S. jobs. pic.twitter.com/lg1KuYvFPF

— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 9, 2025

Reiterating his previous accusations against India, Navarro claimed, “India fuels Russia’s war chest. India is protectionist, with sky-high tariffs. The US runs a massive trade deficit with India.”

The remarks by Washington’s trade advisor came on a day when US President Donald Trump announced that India and the US are continuing their trade negotiations to address the trade barriers, and that the Republican leader will speak to Prime Minister Narendra in the upcoming weeks.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday wrote, “I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!” He added, “I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations.”

The relations between New Delhi and Washington witnessed a major plunge after Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods, and announced additional 25% tariffs onIndian imports on August 6 for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, making a cumulative tariff burden of 50% on Indian products.

India, on the other hand, has described the US action of imposing 50% levies as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

(with PTI inputs)