WASHINGTON: Calling India a “tariff king”, US President
Donald Trump claimed on Monday that New Delhi was reaching out to him to make a trade deal to keep him happy.
In yet another bizarre White House news conference aimed at showcasing a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, Trump latched on to his familiar rant about high tariffs India had imposed on Harley Davidson motorcycles to claim that his tough stand had forced New Delhi to reduce it substantially.
“Nobody ever spoke to these people ... I’m not being overly dramatic ... they never spoke to countries such as India and Brazil,” Trump said, referring to previous administrations not pressing the tariff issue as much as he has done.
“India has very, very, high tariffs on Harley Davidson motorcycles ... it was 100 per cent ... so high that it is a barrier,” he added, continuing a tirade on an issue that accounts for a paltry few millions in trade centering on a few hundred motorcycles.
Trump also said his relationship with India is very good and that he had spoken to Prime Minister Modi, while at the same time insisting “they called us to make a deal ... we didn’t call them.”
Following up on the US-Canada-Mexico trade deal, Trump said Washignton is negotiating with EU, China, Japan and India for new trade deals. He said when US officials asked Indians why they wanted a trade deal with Washington, they said it was to keep the US President happy.
Trump’s remarks came on the heels of a visit to New Delhi by US Assistant Trade Representative Mark Linscott to discuss trade issues, which New Delhi considers only a part of the overall relationship between the two sides, but which Trump has elevated to a hot button issue centering obsessively on an inconsequential motorcycle tariff that even the motorbike company does not highlight as much as the President.
The tempestuous press conference, while primarily meant to discuss trade issues, went on to cover the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh with Trump steamrolling and insulting journalists, including female reporters, as they asked probing questions.
