India-US trade deal soon? Trump praises Modi amid fresh tariff threat

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "I like your Prime Minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well. We have a good relationship."

The US President also claimed that India had benefited from its trade relationship with the United States for years through high tariff barriers, but asserted that the situation has now changed.

"For years, India took advantage of the United States. They charged us tremendous tariffs and paid nothing," Trump said.

In a statement, the USTR said, "The U.S. Trade Representative proposes additional duties on all products of the investigated economies, except as provided in Annex A to the Federal Register notice."

According to the proposal, economies that have implemented or committed to enforcing bans on forced-labour imports, or those operating under partial enforcement regimes through reciprocal trade agreements, would face a lower additional tariff rate of 10%.

However, countries that do not meet these criteria, including those currently under full investigation, could be subject to an additional tariff of 12.5%.

The proposal also includes a textile-specific mechanism that would allow a designated volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies to enter the United States at a reduced tariff rate under Section 301 provisions.

Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the US government to investigate and respond to what it considers unfair, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign trade practices that adversely affect American commerce. Under the provision, the USTR can initiate investigations and impose trade measures when it determines that such practices have caused harm to US interests.