‘India Charges 150% Tariff On American Alcohol, Not Helping’: White House
Washington:
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed concerns over the tariffs imposed by various nations on the United States, specifically mentioning the tariffs imposed by India on American alcohol and agricultural products.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, she emphasized President Donald Trump’s belief in fair and balanced trade practices and reciprocity.
Leavitt also criticized Canada for what she described as decades of “ripping off” the US with high tariffs.
When asked about a possible conversation between Trump and Canada’s Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney, Leavitt defended the President’s stance, stating, “The president believes that Canada has been taking advantage of the United States and American workers for far too long. The tariffs imposed by Canada on American products are unfair.”
Leavitt also pointed out the tariffs imposed by India and Japan on various US goods, emphasizing the need for fair trade practices that benefit American businesses and workers.
She highlighted specific examples such as Canada’s 300% tariff on American cheese and butter, India’s 150% tariff on American alcohol, and Japan’s 700% tariff on rice.
Trump had recently mentioned the possibility of increasing tariffs on Mexico and Canada in the future, stating that the US has been taken advantage of by the global community for years.
He emphasized the need for clarity on tariffs for businesses and shareholders, suggesting that tariffs could increase over time to address the long-standing trade imbalances.
Trump has been vocal about his administration’s efforts to address unfair trade practices, including imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China to protect American interests.
Earlier in March, Trump delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada for certain products, but indicated that significant tariffs were still on the table. He criticized Canada for its high tariffs while acknowledging progress in discussions with Mexico.
Last week, Trump criticized India’s high tariffs, describing it as challenging to sell products to the country due to trade barriers.
In a recent address, Trump highlighted the need for reciprocal trade agreements and praised India for agreeing to reduce tariffs, attributing the change to pressure from the US administration.
Overall, Trump’s focus on fair trade practices and reciprocity has been a central theme of his administration’s trade policies, aiming to protect American businesses and workers from what he perceives as unfair trade practices by other countries.
