India-US Deal Falls Through: Trump Aide Blames Modi's Unreturned Call
Image Source: Internet
A key advisor to former US President Donald Trump has revealed that a major trade deal between the US and India collapsed due to a missed phone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that he had set up a deal, but it couldn't be finalized as Modi didn't call Trump to confirm the agreement. Lutnick said that India and the US were close to finalizing the deal but New Delhi was hesitant, citing the 'wrong side of the see-saw' in negotiations. The Trump aide's comments come amid rising tensions between the two nations over trade and energy issues. India has maintained its stance on energy deals with Russia, citing market forces and consumer needs, while the US has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in response. The situation may escalate further, as a proposed sanctions bill in the US Senate could lead to a 500% tariff hike on Indian imports. The bill aims to pressure Russia to stop its Ukraine aggression by targeting its trading partners with heavy duties.
