U.S. Fires Fresh Trade Salvos On Corn As Trump Acknowledges Rift With India

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump acknowledged that slapping a 50 percent tariff on India for buying Russian oil was “not an easy thing to do” and had strained ties with New Delhi, even as his administration escalates its trade offensive on multiple fronts.

In a September 12 interview with Fox News, Trump called the move a “big deal” that created a “rift with India,” noting, “India was their biggest customer. I put a 50 percent tariff on India because they’re buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do.” His remarks came in response to a question on measures against Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Trump also vowed to hit Russia “very hard” with additional economic sanctions, including new tariffs.

Beyond sanctions on Russia, Trump administration officials are intensifying economic pressure on New Delhi. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned in an Axios interview that India could lose access to the American market if it continues restricting U.S. agricultural products, particularly corn.

“They sell to us and take advantage of us,” Lutnick said. “Their tariffs shut out American goods while Indian exporters enjoy open access to our market.”

“India boasts a population of 1.4 billion,” he added. “Why won’t 1.4 billion people buy even a single bushel of U.S. corn?”

“We have to right years of wrong,” Lutnick continued. “That’s the president’s model. Either you accept it, or you’re going to have a tough time doing business with the world’s greatest consumer.”

The pressure comes as U.S. farm groups are already struggling, with trade tensions with China compounding challenges for American corn producers.