US Cuts India Tariffs to 18% Under New Deal

• By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Washington
• Feb 02, 2026
• 533

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States has reached a trade agreement with India, following a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Trump, the deal includes a reduction in U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, effective immediately.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the agreement was concluded “out of friendship and respect” for Prime Minister Modi and at Modi’s request. He added that India would also move forward with eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods.
Trump further claimed that Prime Minister Modi committed to significantly expanding India’s purchases of American products, including more than $500 billion worth of U.S. energy, technology, agricultural commodities, coal, and other goods.
The U.S. president also said India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and instead source more energy from the United States and potentially Venezuela. Trump argued that this shift would help undermine Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine, which he said continues to claim thousands of lives each week.
Describing Modi as “a powerful and respected leader,” Trump said the agreement would further strengthen U.S.–India relations, adding that both leaders are focused on delivering concrete outcomes.
At the time of the announcement, there was no immediate official confirmation from the Indian government regarding the specific terms outlined by Trump.