US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has sharpened his criticism of India’s trade practices, accusing New Delhi of maintaining a “one-way” economic relationship with Washington. Speaking in an interview on US trade ties with key partners, Lutnick focused on India’s reluctance to reduce tariffs on American agricultural goods, particularly corn, while enjoying broad access to the US market. He argued that India’s refusal to import even a “single bushel” of US corn, despite having a population of 1.4 billion, was evidence of unfair trade.
Lutnick framed the imbalance as a direct contradiction of President Donald Trump’s push for “fair and reciprocal trade,” noting that while India sells extensively to the US, it restricts American exports through high tariffs. “They put tariffs on everything,” he said, adding that this approach cannot sustain healthy trade ties.
His remarks came against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s aggressive use of tariffs to pressure trading partners. Indian goods currently face duties as high as 50 per cent, including a steep 25 per cent levy tied to India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. Lutnick stressed that this was part of Trump’s broader model to “right years of wrong,” warning that nations unwilling to comply would find it difficult to maintain business with “the world’s greatest consumer.”
India has dismissed these measures as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” defending its trade practices as consistent with national interests. Officials in New Delhi have been particularly firm about their right to purchase Russian oil, which they argue is critical to maintaining energy security and price stability. The oil issue has become another flashpoint in already strained trade relations.
Lutnick hinted that resolving these disputes could unlock progress on a broader trade deal. He suggested that if India reduced tariffs and curtailed its reliance on Russian energy, negotiations might move forward. “Well, we’re going to sort out India,” he told CNBC, signalling that Washington intends to keep pressing until New Delhi changes its approach.
The escalating rhetoric underscores the growing friction in US-India trade relations, where disputes over market access, tariffs, and energy policy continue to overshadow the broader strategic partnership between the two countries.
