Trump now has India on radar
US Prez hits out at Brazil’s duty policies
Washington, Oct. 2: Fresh from clinching an updated North American commerce pact, Donald Trump on Monday criticised Indian and Brazilian trade tactics, describing the latter as being “maybe the toughest in the world” in terms of protectionism.
Addressing reporters at a White House event to celebrate the agreement of an updated trilateral trade deal between the US, Mexico and Canada, Trump added India and Brazil to a growing list of countries that, he argues, treat the US unfairly in terms of commerce.
“India charges us tremendous tariffs. When we send Harley Davidson motorcycles, other things to India, they charge very, very high tariffs,” Mr Trump said, adding that he had brought up the issue with Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi, who he said was “going to reduce them very substantially.”
Mr Modi’s office could not immediately be reached for a request for comment. India’s government has become more protectionist in recent months, raising import tariffs on a growing number of goods as it promotes its ‘Make in India’ programme.
After criticising India, Trump turned to Brazil, the second-largest economy in the Americas behind the US.
“Brazil’s another one. That’s a beauty. They charge us whatever they want,” he said. “If you ask some of the companies, they say Brazil is among the toughest in the world — maybe the toughest in the world.”
Brazil is one of the world’s most closed major economies, and in recent months has tussled with the Trump administration over trade in sectors such as ethanol and steel.
After Trump’s comments, Brazil’s foreign trade minister, Abrão Neto, defended the relationship, saying it was “very positive.” He added that over the last 10 years, the US has enjoyed a trade surplus with Brazil of $90 billion in goods, and of $250 billion in goods and services. — Reuters
Brazil’s another one. That’s a beauty. They charge us whatever they want... If you ask some of the companies, they say Brazil is among the toughest in the world — maybe the toughest in the world. — DONALD TRUMP