Trump praises Modi amid India-US tariff talks

U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “smart man” and a “great friend” during a press interaction at the White House on Friday. His remarks come amid ongoing tariff negotiations between the two nations, with Trump expressing optimism about achieving a favorable resolution.

“Modi is a very smart man”: Trump

“Prime Minister Modi was here just, and we’ve always been very good friends,” Trump stated, referring to Modi’s visit to the U.S. in February. “India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world… They’re very smart. He’s a very smart man and a great friend of mine. I think it’s going to work out very well between India and our country.” 

These comments follow Trump’s earlier criticisms of India’s high tariffs on American goods. Despite his concerns, he has maintained a positive outlook on U.S.-India relations. With a self-imposed April 2 deadline for implementing reciprocal tariffs on countries like India, both sides are intensifying efforts to finalize the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025. The deal aims to boost trade, with Trump and Modi targeting an increase from $190 billion in 2023 to $500 billion. 

Trump’s praise for Modi highlights their strong personal rapport, which Modi reciprocated in a recent podcast with Lex Fridman. He recalled their shared “Nation First” philosophy, emphasized during the 2019 ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Texas.

Despite Trump’s push for reciprocal tariffs—set to take effect next week unless a deal is reached—he remains confident in the negotiations, noting that his recent discussions with Modi were “excellent.”

India signals readiness to reduce tariffs

India has indicated a willingness to lower tariffs on over $23 billion worth of U.S. imports to avert Trump’s threatened levies. Talks have gained momentum since Modi’s February visit, with high-level discussions involving India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. officials. 

As the deadline approaches, Trump’s latest remarks reflect a mix of pressure and diplomacy, balancing criticism of India’s tariff policies with optimism about a mutually beneficial resolution.

The outcome of these negotiations could reshape economic ties between the world’s largest democracies, with global markets watching closely.