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President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States had reached an initial trade arrangement with India, easing months of tariff tensions between the two countries while pointing to broader cooperation on energy and global security.
The deal, revealed through a social media post, was short on formal detail but outlined immediate tariff reductions and new commitments from New Delhi.
Under the proposed arrangement, U.S. tariffs on Indian goods would fall from 25 percent to 18 percent, effective immediately, according to Mr. Trump.
In return, he said India had agreed to reduce its own tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American products, while also pledging to significantly increase purchases of U.S. goods, particularly in energy, technology, agriculture, and coal.
Mr. Trump also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to halting India's purchases of Russian oil, a move the president framed as both an economic and geopolitical win.
The White House has repeatedly urged countries to cut energy ties with Moscow in an effort to weaken Russia's ability to finance its war in Ukraine. Mr. Trump said India would instead look to the United States and potentially Venezuela to meet its energy needs.
The announcement appeared to mark a turning point in a trade relationship that had grown increasingly strained over the past year.
India had been swept into Mr. Trump's broader global trade offensive, which saw steep tariffs imposed on a range of partners. Talks between Washington and New Delhi had dragged on for months without a breakthrough, culminating in higher duties last summer after India continued importing Russian oil.
Prime Minister Modi confirmed the tariff reduction in a public statement, welcoming the lower rate on Indian exports and emphasizing the benefits of cooperation between the world's two largest democracies.
He praised Mr. Trump's leadership and said the agreement could unlock new opportunities for shared growth, though he did not directly address the question of Russian oil purchases.
Despite the upbeat tone from both leaders, questions remain about the scope and durability of the deal.
