PM's "Big Thanks" After Trump's Tariff Cut "Unlocks Immense Opportunities".
Minutes after Trump announced the tariff decrease on Truth Social, Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, "Happy that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent."
Ankush Pandey
Today, US President Donald Trump was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India" for lowering tariffs on Indian imports from 25% to 18%. A few minutes after Trump announced the tariff decrease on Truth Social, Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, "Happy that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 181%." It was a pleasure to talk to my good buddy, President Trump, today. I am happy that the duty on Made in India products would be lowered to 18 percent. On behalf of the 1.4 billion Indians, the prime minister expressed gratitude to President Trump for this fantastic declaration.
"Our people benefit and there are countless prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation when two major economies and the biggest democracies in the world cooperate.
Global peace, stability, and prosperity depend on President Trump's leadership. PM Modi declared, "India fully supports his efforts for peace." "I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights."
The US president referred to the action as a "trade deal" in the announcement that initially surfaced on the Trump-owned social media platform Truth Social.
Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 2, 2026
When two large economies and the…
Additionally, Trump referred to Prime Minister Modi as "one of my greatest friends, and a powerful and respected leader of his country." According to a statement from the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), lowering India's reciprocal tariff to 18% is a significant and encouraging first step.
The news indicates significant political resolve on both sides to progress toward a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement between the United States and India that covers tariffs, market access, non-tariff obstacles, and other trade-related issues across a wide variety of sectors, even though the accord's terms are still waiting.
This is a chronology of what has happened after Trump levied a 50% tariff on Indian goods going to the US: 2025
April 2: As part of his worldwide "liberation day" tariff activities, the US levied a 26% "reciprocal tariff" on a number of Indian products.
April 10: Trump kept the 10% charge on all US imports in place while pausing the tariffs for ninety days. July 31: Trump declared that all Indian exports would be subject to a 25% tariff and threatened to impose penalties if India kept purchasing Russian energy.
August 7: Citing India's ongoing purchases of Russian energy, Trump increased taxes on Indian goods going to the US to 50%. Among US trading partners, the biggest tax was imposed on commodities from India.
2026
February 2: Trump declares that tariffs on Indian imports will be lowered from 25% to 18%.
