Trump Signals Progress on India-US Trade Pact, Calls PM Modi a ‘Good Friend’

Washington, June 2026 : US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the prospects of a trade agreement between the United States and India, saying negotiations are moving forward positively and emphasizing his strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the White House during an event focused on energy and coal policy on Thursday, Trump suggested that both countries are nearing an understanding on key trade issues and indicated confidence that an agreement would eventually be finalized.

Responding to a question regarding reports that a trade deal could be close following recent diplomatic engagements between Washington and New Delhi, Trump said the two sides were making significant progress.

“We’ll get to a deal,” Trump remarked, adding that his relationship with Prime Minister Modi remains strong and constructive.

“I like your Prime Minister a lot. He’s a good friend of mine, and we get along very well. We’re going to make a deal because we have a very good relationship,” the US President said.

The remarks come at a time when trade discussions have emerged as a major pillar of the expanding India-US strategic partnership. Both governments have been working to address long-standing market access issues, tariff concerns and regulatory barriers while exploring opportunities to deepen economic cooperation.

Despite his optimism, Trump reiterated his longstanding criticism of India’s tariff policies, arguing that American companies have historically faced significant barriers when attempting to enter the Indian market.

According to Trump, India had maintained high import duties on several US products for many years, creating challenges for American exporters.

“India, for years, really took advantage of the United States,” he said, while repeating concerns he has voiced on multiple occasions during both his presidential terms.

As an example, Trump referred to the experience of American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, which he said faced steep import tariffs when trying to sell motorcycles in India.

He argued that such duties made it difficult for American manufacturers to compete effectively and eventually encouraged companies to establish local production facilities instead of exporting products directly to India.

Trump also claimed that previous trade arrangements had disproportionately favored India, while asserting that his administration had worked to rebalance economic ties between the two countries.

While emphasizing the need for fairer trade practices, the President maintained that negotiations are progressing in a positive direction and suggested that both sides recognize the broader importance of strengthening economic relations.

Trade has become one of the fastest-growing components of the India-US relationship, complementing cooperation in defence, technology, energy, critical minerals, supply chains and regional security. Policymakers in both countries have repeatedly highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral commerce as their strategic partnership continues to deepen.

Trump’s comments also reflected the personal rapport that has developed between him and Modi over the years. During Trump’s first presidency, the two leaders shared the stage at high-profile public events, including the Howdy Modi gathering in Houston and the Namaste Trump programme in Ahmedabad, both of which showcased the growing closeness between the world’s two largest democracies.

The latest remarks are likely to reinforce expectations that negotiators from both countries are working toward a framework that could ease tariff disputes, improve market access and unlock new opportunities for businesses on both sides. As discussions continue, officials in Washington and New Delhi appear increasingly confident that a mutually beneficial trade arrangement can be achieved, further strengthening one of the most important bilateral partnerships in the global economy.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)