Donald Trump says PM Modi ‘not that happy with me’
Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, among the highest in the world. Of this 25 per cent is reciprocal levy and the other 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil.
President Donald Trump speaks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a news conference. (File Photo)
A day after saying that US can raise tariffs on India very quickly, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “not that happy with me”. He pointed to the levies imposed by Washington on New Delhi for its purchases of Russian oil as a reason. Trump was speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat where he reiterated his “very good relationship” with PM Modi.
‘Sir, may I see you’
Trump also said that “Prime Minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’. Yes.” He remarked: “I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me because you know they’re paying a lot of tariffs now because they’re not doing the oil, but they are, they’ve now reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia,” Trump said.
50% tariffs on India
Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, among the highest in the world. Of this 25 per cent is reciprocal levy and the other 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil.
Earlier, Republican leader and US Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee said that Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra told him that India has reduced its purchases of Russian oil and asked him to inform the US president to “relieve the tariff” imposed on New Delhi for buying crude from Moscow.
Graham, while speaking to reporters with Trump by his side, talked about his tariff bill on Sunday which seeks to impose 500 per cent penalty on imports from countries that are purchasing Russian oil.
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President Trump had earlier said PM Modi “knew I was not happy” with India’s purchases of Russian oil and that Washington can raise tariffs on New Delhi “very quickly”.
While speaking to reporters aboard the Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “They (India) wanted to make me happy, basically. Modi is a very good man; he is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy. They do trade and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly. It would be very bad for them.”
Apache helicopters
Trump also said that India told him it has been waiting for five years for the Apache helicopters. “We’re changing it. We’re changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches,” he said.
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President Donald Trump speaks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a news conference. (File Photo) 
