‘Time for reciprocity’: Ahead of April 2 deadline, White House criticises India’s 100% tariffs on agricultural goods | World News

On the eve of the April 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, the White House said that India charges 100 per cent tariffs on American agricultural products, and high levies charged other countries are making it “virtually impossible” for US products to be exported to those nations.
This comes after US President Donald Trump repeatedly criticised India’s tariff policies for American goods, planning to roll out reciprocal tariffs for India and other countries on April 2. He said that Thursday will be “Liberation Day” for the US in terms of imports and exports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday said, “Unfortunately, these countries have been ripping off our nation for far too long, and they’ve made, I think, their disdain for the American workers quite clear.”
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“If you look at the unfair trade practices – we have 50% (tariff) from the European Union on American dairy and a 700% tariff from Japan on American rice. You have a 100% tariff from India on American agricultural products and nearly 300% from Canada on American butter and cheese.”
“This makes it virtually impossible for US products to be imported into these markets and it has put a lot of Americans out of business and out of work over the past several decades,” she said.
Holding up a chart showing tariffs imposed India, Japan and other countries, Leavitt said that it is the time for “reciprocal tariffs” and the time for President Trump to “make a horic change”.
In March, Donald Trump said that the tariffs imposed on nations for now are “temporary”, but the “predominant” tariffs will be imposed the US on April 2, terming the move as a “big game-changer for our country.”Story continues below this ad
However, Leavitt did not spell out the specifics of the tariffs on different imports and the countries which will be impacted. She said that President Trump will announce the same on Wednesday with the help of a “brilliant team of trade advisors” – including US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, White House aide Peter Navarro, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor.
(With inputs from PTI)
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